Two Guys Garage Podcast: Recent Episodes
iHeartRadio
Expert gearheads and longtime co-hosts Kevin Byrd and Willie B bring their hallmark brand of automotive knowledge and passion from the TV screen to the podcasting world. Two Guys Garage Podcast covers virtually every aspect of the automotive aftermarket, from repair to restoration, from customization to innovations, all in the same loose, just-havin’-fun manner fans have been enjoying on MotorTrend Network for years.
When it comes to thermal management, you’ve got to protect everything under the hood (not to mention the driver and passengers!) from extreme heat. The guys at Heatshield Products have been designing innovative items that make vehicles perform better, last longer, be more durable, safer, and more comfortable since 1985. Bruce Heye and Chris Schwartz are a couple of car guys committed to creating highly affordable products anyone can use. “You have these crazy space age materials,” Kevin points out, “but you’ve put them in form factors that make it easy to install.”
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There are all types of wheels for different applications from different processes at different price points. Casting, flow formed and forged; aluminum, steel, and composites; three-piece and monoblock. It can all seem overwhelming, especially since wheels have so much power to make or break everything about the driving experience. Joining the guys to demystify the confusion is Dave Schardt, President of Forgeline Wheels. “We say it all the time,” notes Kevin. “The right wheels and the right stance can take just any ride and take it up a couple of notches.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“There is nothing like nitro methane power, the kind that makes 11,000 HP and flames coming out of the pipes,” NHRA Funny Car Driver Alexis DeJoria tells the guys in a candid pre-race sit-down. “We accelerate quicker than a fighter pilot does.” High adrenaline and outsized levels of risk run hand in glove, putting tremendous pressure on the crew chief, the DC Motorsports team, and herself. The ability to maintain laser focus while piloting a 300 mile per hour rocket can mean not just the difference between winning and losing, but between life and death. It’s a physical and emotional rollercoaster ride at maximum speed. “You have the highest highs with this kind of racing and the lowest lows.”
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In this episode’s intro, Willie makes it abundantly clear that he absolutely hates wiring. That is, he did until he discovered American Autowire’s all-in-one kits that make what can seem like a daunting task as easy as possible. “Wiring (for) a lot of people is black magic, it scares them to death,” says Engineering Support Manager Don Bock, “and really, if you understand the concept of it, it’s really not hard.” Adds Kevin, “Don’t be afraid, just get in there and do it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Godzilla is Ford’s latest monster engine, their supersized response to the wildly successful LS platform. Kevin likens it to an LS on steroids with more cubic inches, while today’s guest Doug DeLong of Well Sorted offers it up as further proof of the adage, “there’s no replacement for displacement.” Recently relocated from Denver to Atlanta, Well Sorted is on the forefront of installations and different applications for this powerful beast, “the culmination of a lot of lessons learned” along the way.
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It’s a well-acknowledged fact that Kevin and Willie’s longtime friend and living legend Ken Lingenfelter has a finger on all things fast. A true car guy born and bred, he caught the bug at the tender age of 10 when he first laid eyes on a ‘63 split-window Corvette coming off the assembly line, courtesy of his Detroit exec dad. In the decades since, he’s remained a dedicated fan, “absolutely enchanted with the new C8,” and with the new Z06 on the way, “probably more passionate about it today than I’ve ever been.”
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Finding a powerful powertrain for an old hot rod or truck is no longer the difficult challenge it once was. Nowadays it’s finding the right rear end that’s the real challenge. Have no fear though, Jon Henson of Currie Enterprises has a plan. “We want to take the voodoo out of a rear end and basically make it an easy purchase, an educated purchase, and something that now you can spec out based on your build and how you’re gonna use the vehicle,” he tells Willie and Kevin. “The ultimate goal is to make sure that at the end of the day when the customer gets in his car and he’s driving and he just wants that freedom, that he’s gonna get that feeling.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cleveland Power and Performance is a salvage yard like no other – a wonderland of curated parts and pieces, drive trains and engines harvested from crashed Camaros, Mustangs and Hellcats – that also happens to build mind-blowing hot rods like the noted ’69 Dodge Charger “Reverence” and last year’s SEMA Show stunner NIKA ‘79 Bronco. Owner Rick Fragnoli makes his third visit to the podcast to discuss all the latest goings on in the aftermarket and what lies ahead as the EV era dawns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin’s on a mission to not just rebuild but to reconceive the iconic 1970 Mustang Fastback he missed out on in his youth. In this first installment of an ongoing series, Kevin reveals his ambitious gameplan for the project, including how he came up with it, what he’s doing with it, and the direction he’s taking it. “It’s gonna be a daily driver hot rod that rips,” he tells Willie, “I’m gonna just hammer the bank account and I’m gonna get ‘er done!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The average age of vehicles on the road has ticked up to an all-time high of 12 years. Keeping them running cleaner and longer is the mission of TotalEnergies, the massive French company doing big things on a global scale. Luis Cerqueira and Darren Lesinski join the podcast to discuss what technologies are coming down the pike in terms of oil, natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, wind, and solar power. As the company strives to become greener in several respects, they’re at the cutting edge of developing oils that let the OEs literally design the engine around the oil! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Frank Vasquez, Chris Atkinson, and Joseph Torres of KW Suspensions check in with the guys for a Master Class in making old cars new again. “Nothing wakes a car up like putting new suspension components, parts, and pieces under it,” notes Willie at the outset, enabling them to drive like they were meant to be driven. “You would not believe the difference in the right spring and damper combination,” adds Kevin, “and the technology is through the roof.” Learn why friends don’t let friends cut springs or bump stocks; why shock speed is specific to how fast the shock is being either collapsed or extended; and why making too many changes at once can cause all manner of unforced errors.
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Willie and Kevin are big fans of grabbin’ gears and heel toeing the clutch, especially when a TREMEC tranny’s involved. “There are few things in a vehicle other than the transmission that can really change the whole dynamic of your driving,” notes Kevin, “and really bring the fun factor in.” Mike Kidd is a kindred spirit who also happens to be TREMEC’s Aftermarket Business Manager, and today he joins the guys for a lively update on all the latest goings on at the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Back in the day, steering columns offered only rudimentary functions like three-on-the-tree. Nowadays, you can retrofit just about any vehicle with state-of-the-art tech featuring spectacular upgrades. IDIDIT President/GM Trever Cornwell joins the guys for a discussion about the evolution and ergonomics of steering columns. “We tell people, ‘If you can dream it, we can build it,’” notes Trever, citing everything from aluminum to 24k gold-plated columns for very specific steering applications.
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Mel Roth launched PSCA Racing 22 years ago, nurturing its regional roots as the Pacific Street Car Association into the national platform now named Premier. Among the 6 to 16 different classes of racing depending on venue, the XDR Series spotlights 3000 hp door cars running radial tires on the 1/8-mile drag. “The nature of the beast is you wanna go fast,” Mel tells the guys. “You wanna win, but you really wanna go fast!” Or, as Kevin puts it, “It’s a real cool, relatable racing series with a whole lot of who-knows-what’s-gonna- happen!”
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Having a lift in your shop or garage was once something people could only dream about. Today they are not only readily available but also quite affordable, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations for a host of applications. Mark Israel of Atlas Automotive Equipment joins the guys for an in-depth tutorial on the features and benefits of 2-post, 4-post, scissor, and motorcycle lifts. “One of the biggest, baddest, coolest tools you could have is a lift,” raves Kevin, “and at a really attainable number.”
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Willie and Kevin firmly believe that races are won with quality braking, as they extol the virtues of old school ABS. To prove their point, they enlist the expertise of Terry Fair, owner of Vorshlag Motorsports and a pioneer in ABS swaps for older platforms. “The better OEM systems have gotten really good,” Terry explains, “and not only does it improve your braking performance 20-30%, it improves driver confidence immensely.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ross Berlanga of TMI Products joins the guys to discuss a real pain in the butt for drivers: uncomfortable seats. It may be a little-known fact that outside of paint, high quality upholstery is one of the bigger costs you can incur on a car, and as Willie notes, “Nothing changes the game like getting that seat when it’s fit right, that you feel secure in.” From the virtues of molded foam vs. cut foam, to demystifying low back seats and converting truck benches to buckets, get ready to learn everything you ever wanted to know – and then some – about seats!
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Spectra Premium has been producing high quality aftermarket products for over 30 years – everything from oil pans and fuel tanks to engine management, heavy duty segments and classic car parts – right here in North America. “At the end of the day, our customers are really looking for complete solutions to what they’re doing,” Director of Category Management Aaron Athey tells the guys. “We’ve kind of taken that premium mentality to everything we do.” Asked if he’s ever had a customer cry, Athey notes only when they’ve been disappointed elsewhere first, “and we’ve been able to turn some of those tears into smiles!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the eve of his retirement from Hot Shot’s Secret, Chris Gabrelcik joins the guys for one final conversation, touching on how best to prep and store the toys of summer, and busting some longstanding myths on the longevity of engine oil that’s been left sitting for months on end. “There’s no reason to not use a fuel additive always… not only do they clean out the system and lubricate it, they also make the storage much better because they have fuel stabilizers that keep it fresh for two years.”
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Kevin’s former Two Guys Garage co-host and good buddy Bryan Fuller is renowned for his work creating custom motorcycles, hot rods, and old school classics. He’s most recently discovered a new itch for precision driving – a.k.a. racing – specifically open wheel, and he’s set his sights on rebuilding a rare, vintage Mirage M5 to run in Formula Ford. “My first race car, it’s kind of scary,” he confesses to the guys. “It’s exciting, it’s fun, it’s scary; I don’t know, lots of emotion.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s paint jobs – both factory and aftermarket – are expensive. Exposure to the elements and improper care can wreak havoc and leave your ride looking sad. Adam Pitale has made it his life’s mission to perfect automotive protection with a fleet of easy-to-use products bearing his name. “So many people want an easier mousetrap,” the creator of Adam’s Polishes tells the guys. The secret is “a simpler process they can drive a clean car all the time and don’t have to spend all their free time cleaning it.”
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Kevin and Willie kick off Season 3 with a gripping conversation about one of the fastest-growing aftermarket categories flying under the radar – tire tech. Finding the right tire for your application is critical and may just be THE single biggest performance-related aspect of your vehicle. Ron Elliot of Hercules Tires is on hand to discuss the latest rip-roaring advances in all things rubber, from rock crawling to mudslinging, swamp to street. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two of the biggest impacts you can make on an older car or hot rod are upgrading to a modern transmission and installing air conditioning. While the former is a no-brainer, the latter may come as a bit of a surprise to anyone not already familiar with Vintage Air. Since 1976, the company has significantly impacted the world of hot rodding by bringing air conditioning systems to cars you would never expect to have them. Rick Love chats with Kevin and Willie about the advancements the company’s made and continues to make, most notably its SureFit systems suitable for vehicles that never had A/C, and which are designed specifically for the DIYer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Photojournalist and die-hard magazine guy “REVan” Evan Smith’s had his finger on the pulse of performance and racing for as long as he or anyone else can remember. In this all-new chat with the guys, he talks about making the transition from print to video to digital, and the need to keep pace with rapidly changing technology and the distribution systems central to reaching car folks wherever they are. And for folks wondering how to get your car into your favorite publication he offers some great dos and don’ts you’ll definitely want to hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When it comes to state-of-the-art fuel pumps and regulators, Aeromotive is at the forefront of R&D in the field, pioneering innovative new options for easily modifying a gas tank for a drop-in, in-tank solution. In fact, their small brushless gear pumps can now deliver as much as five, seven, even 10 gallons per minute! As Technical Director Brett Clow explains to the guys, “It’s just amazing how things have changed. We’re at a point today where if somebody calls and says they’re not making 1000 hp at least, we’re like, ‘What’s wrong?!’”
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SVTPerformance.com is THE go-to online forum for anything performance-related in the Ford world. Launched by Travis Hill in late 2000, today it numbers nearly 200,000 members and counting. “It is just a massive community of Ford enthusiasts who share a passion for just going fast,” Hill tells the guys, compelling even lifelong Mopar fan Willie B to take notice. “Make it, break it, build it better; get out there and have some fun!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Use of a manual transmission has become something of a dying art. But for those in the know, the manual remains a potent tool, especially TREMEC’s TKX 5-speed transmission. Just ask Bruce Couture of Modern Driveline. He’s been pointing and shooting and shifting for 25 years. “Whether it’s gas powered or electric, there’s just so many options, so many different platforms, we’re building all kinds of stuff… everything from the ‘30s to modern day muscle,” he tells the guys. “I don’t even flinch when people talk about 1200 and 1500 hp anymore.”
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Summer is upon us, and who better to help prep for the season than the Einstein of Additives himself, Chris Gabrelcik of Hot Shot’s Secret. With the price of a 3000-mile oil change skyrocketing to a whopping $300 or more, how would you like to never change the oil in your ride ever again? “You just have to do one or two oil analyses and it pretty much sets the record for you for the rest of your life.” Dirt in oil is like cholesterol in your blood – it needs to be diagnosed and treated. “It’s not crazy, wizardry stuff. It’s Dawn soap, it’s the same kind of concept.”
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At 6’5”, Cooper MacNeil is not your average race car driver. With numerous wins and championships to his credit – ALMS, Ferrari Challenge, Petit Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring – he’s run some of the world’s most iconic races, from Daytona to Le Mans. Noting that “you’re pretty much 100% every lap for 24 hours straight” has Willie and Kevin green with envy. “There’s nothing quite like doing 200 miles an hour – legally, that’s the key!”Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s podcast is all about making beautiful noise, and no one knows more about this than Magnaflow’s Rich Waitas. Kevin calls it “the magnificent choir that comes out of the back of exhaust pipes… it’s an art form,” albeit one whose days may well be numbered as EV appears ready to displace IC and the sound it generates. Yet, for all those like Willie who believe that “the right sound means everything,” there is still much to be adored and admired.
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Corry and Jason Weller met racing ATV Motocross in 2001 and have been together ever since. She’s raced Pro 4, won a UTV championship for Yamaha, and now runs for Can-Am. Aside from operating their successful aftermarket parts business, he’s been competing in King of the Hammers since 2016; together they’ll be co-drivers in the ’22 event. The dynamic couple joins the guys to talk about play time, work time, and their favorite pastime vacationing at one of the world’s most lawless spots! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Foo Dog Motorcycles in Denver, CO is the brainchild of traveling-musician-turned-classic-restorer Carson Allen, a die-hard fan of vintage 1960s to early 80s Japanese bikes, with a special affinity for those in distress. Of course, parts for these lost legends can be pretty hard to come by, and that’s okay with him. “Preserving the past is really my focus,” he tells Willie and Kevin. “I know that these bikes we put enough love and care and attention to detail into them that they’re never gonna go back to the state they were before.”
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Fresh from SEMA where his ’66 Charger made a huge splash, Willie B is pumped up about one of the most lauded builds of the show: Arrington Performance’s showpiece hydrogen-burning truck. We’re talking internal combustion engine here; no fuel cell and virtually no emissions. The mastermind behind the project, Mike Copeland, joins the guys to explain how it works, what it does, and what it means for the future of the automobile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When it comes to winterizing your vehicle, the worst thing you can do is…nothing. We’ve all been there: a few days’ procrastination turns into weeks, turns into months, and before you know it, you’re in a world of hurt. Today the guys offer insights on the basic guidelines of seasonal prep and spend some time discussing critter control with MouseBlocker inventor Matt Swift. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For all those who aspire to have their ride inspire “the look-back,” this one’s for you. Willie and Kevin introduce a pair of prepping and painting pros armed with expert recommendations on how to make your Technicolor dreams come true. First up is Tom Williams of Mobile Environmental Solutions, purveyor of super clean, affordable, portable, pop-up paint booths, followed by Thin Red Line Paint Specialist’s Raymond Harrison, with advice on fillers, primers, and ratios, and a mantra to just “take your time and have fun with it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The right combination of style and performance can elevate just about anything, not least of all wheels and tires. “It’s one thing to have a great-looking tire,” notes Kevin; “it’s another thing to have a great-looking tire that fits with the wheel, so you get that total package.” Josh Simpson of Hercules Tires and Myles Kovacs of TIS Wheels have embraced this concept to the fullest, collaborating on a line of rims and rubber compounds bound to turn heads. “Being partnered with Hercules, for me it’s like hitting the lottery,” say Myles; “we’re like a fashion brand.”
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Nothing affects your ride more than shocks and struts; they’re controlling the amount of bounce of the vehicle and the tire that’s gripping the road. Aaron Shaffer, KYB’s Director of Marketing and Product, is a former racer and go-to guy for any and all suspension-related questions. Today he joins Kevin and Willie with advice on controlling that bumpy road; how to know when it’s time for service or replacement; why it’s absolutely critical to increase damping when adding a bigger, heavier, larger wheel and tire; and assorted hacks to avoid unnecessary and costly DIY mistakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Einstein of Additives is back, and this time Chris Gabrelcik is joined by Lubrication Specialties Chemical Engineer Kevin Adams and Director of Branding Kyle Fischer for a lively discussion about the critical functions of fluids. “It’s like the blood that’s in your veins; you don’t even think about it,” notes Kevin. “And these guys are tapped in like no one else to the science behind it.”
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Willie B is deep in the throes of his first solo SEMA build on a rare 1966 Dodge Charger “slapper” car that is most definitely NOT a General Lee. With the clock ticking down, he’s sliced, diced, cut, chopped and wide-bodied it, learning firsthand that “most nightmares occur while you’re awake.” In this final installment of our five-part series, he begins to question whether all the lost sleep, high stress, and hurdle after hurdle will be worth it in the end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the occasion of their milestone 200th episode, Kevin and Willie reflect on some of their best guests, favorite topics, and most memorable moments behind the mic. From the personal to the professional, from rubbin’ elbows to rubbin’ paint, strap in for a high-octane journey down memory lane with two fun-loving, bench-racing buddies.
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Rob Ida is a third-generation car builder and, in Kevin’s estimation, one of the most talented designer-builders on the planet. His penchant for Tuckers is renowned, and he also tackles an incredible array of projects from the most modern to most archaic and just about everything in between. In Part 4 of our five-part series, Rob chronicles the hurdles and headaches of restoring a rare 1962 Holman Moody Ford Falcon/Challenger 3 for SEMA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There are all types of wheels for different applications from different processes at different price points. Casting, flow formed and forged; aluminum, steel, and composites; three-piece and monoblock. It can all seem overwhelming, especially since wheels have so much power to make or break everything about the driving experience. Joining the guys to demystify the confusion is Dave Schardt, President of Forgeline Wheels. “We say it all the time,” notes Kevin. “The right wheels and the right stance can take just any ride and take it up a couple of notches.”
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As owner of the successful Girl Gang Garage and co-host of MotorTrend’s long-running hit series All Girls Garage and Garage Squad, Bogi Lateiner has earned an enviable reputation in the automotive world. Now deep into her third all-female SEMA build – “I did not expect to be building a SEMA car, ever!”– she takes time out to chat with Kevin and Willie about the project in the third installment of our five-part series. “It’s the biggest undertaking that I’ve ever done; it is absolutely insane, it’s just an unreal project!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Willie and Kevin are big fans of grabbin’ gears and heel toeing the clutch, especially when a TREMEC tranny’s involved. “There are few things in a vehicle other than the transmission that can really change the whole dynamic of your driving,” notes Kevin, “and really bring the fun factor in.” Mike Kidd is a kindred spirit who also happens to be TREMEC’s Aftermarket Business Manager, and today he joins the guys for a lively update on all the latest goings on at the company.
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In the second podcast of this five-part series, Willie goes deep on his first gen ‘66 Dodge Charger build for this year’s SEMA Show. Not exactly renowned for its natural beauty, this labor of love (emphasis on labor) is inspired in part by Kevin’s own kick-ass 1990 LS-powered BMW M3 build several SEMAs back. “Ugly cars get really cool at SEMA,” notes Willie, “and sometimes really gorgeous cars get really ugly at SEMA!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode’s intro, Willie makes it abundantly clear that he absolutely hates wiring. That is, he did until he discovered American Autowire’s all-in-one kits that make what can seem like a daunting task as easy as possible. “Wiring (for) a lot of people is black magic, it scares them to death,” says Engineering Support Manager Don Bock, “and really, if you understand the concept of it, it’s really not hard.” Adds Kevin, “Don’t be afraid, just get in there and do it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If SEMA is the Super Bowl of car shows, the Ring Brothers are the Lebron and Michael of car builders. Yet even Jim and Mike are up against the wall trying to get parts for the three projects they’re bringing to this year’s highly anticipated event, the first since the onset of the pandemic. In the first of a five-part series leading up to SEMA, Kevin and Willie go two-on-two with the legendary siblings who modestly describe themselves as “just guys that like cars and [are] lucky enough that people like what we’re doing.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s a well-acknowledged fact that Kevin and Willie’s longtime friend and living legend Ken Lingenfelter has a finger on all things fast. A true car guy born and bred, he caught the bug at the tender age of 10 when he first laid eyes on a ‘63 split-window Corvette coming off the assembly line, courtesy of his Detroit exec dad. In the decades since, he’s remained a dedicated fan, “absolutely enchanted with the new C8,” and with the new Z06 on the way, “probably more passionate about it today than I’ve ever been.”
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Today’s cars and trucks are increasingly more complex machines running on ever more powerful computers, spitting out codes and diagnostic information that can be difficult for a DIYer to decipher. The new OTOFIX scanning tool is poised to change all that, offering dealer quality, access, and capability at an affordable price. Maurice Miller and Daniel Bemiss join Kevin and Willie to discuss the super powerful, easy to use, and highly connected device that Kevin hails as the “solution that I’ve been looking for!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris Gabrelcik, CEO of Lubrication Specialties, Inc., is a man of science held in high regard by Kevin and Willie, who fondly refer to him by a variety of nicknames, including the recently added moniker of “The Fine Chef of Everything Lubrication-wise”. On this episode he engages the guys in a discussion about how to make your engine last longer, get the best mileage out of it, and get more bang for the buck per gallon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Who among us hasn’t scraped a curb and damaged a rim or tire? This can be a real nuisance, and a potentially pricey fix. Patrick Fletch joins the guys to explain how AlloyGator’s seamless system applies an engineering mindset to provide personalized protection, visual pop, and a colorful styling solution. Along the way, Willie introduces a phenomenon he’s dubbed “rolling mustard and mayonnaise” that swings the conversation in an unexpected direction! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mel Roth launched PSCA Racing 22 years ago, nurturing its regional roots as the Pacific Street Car Association into the national platform now named Premier. Among the 6 to 16 different classes of racing depending on venue, the XDR Series spotlights 3000 hp door cars running radial tires on the 1/8-mile drag. “The nature of the beast is you wanna go fast,” Mel tells the guys. “You wanna win, but you really wanna go fast!” Or, as Kevin puts it, “It’s a real cool, relatable racing series with a whole lot of who-knows-what’s-gonna- happen!”
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There’s certainly no shortage of aftermarket waxes and polishes. Let the buyer beware – when it comes to “flossy and glossy,” not all products are created equal. Consider this alternative: ceramic coatings that create show-quality finishes that can last 9+ years. Kevin Davis from Gtechniq educates the guys on what it is and what sets it apart, schooling them on chemical bonding, physical curing, and the difference between hydrophobic and hydrophilic lubricity. Who knew? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Indianapolis is the place to be each December when PRI, the biggest industry show for performance and racing, rolls into town. Willie describes it as “40-50,000 square feet of heaven!” while Kevin notes, “I hardly ever miss a PRI; if I do I cry for like a month!” Today the guys welcome Dr. Jamie Meyer, President of PRI, back to the podcast for updates on the myriad initiatives and programs the organization has in play. “We are building tools to raise the entire industry. It is a great time to be into cars.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode is all about metal – shaping, smashing, cutting, making it do what you want it to do, which isn’t always easy. “I’ve definitely filled up a few scrap bins in my day,” Bruce Van Sant, Owner/President of Trick-Tools, confesses to the guys. From his auto body background growing up on a farm, to becoming a self-described tool junky, Bruce now offers all kinds of tools, even tools for tools! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Not all engine oils are created equal. Viscosity, heat range, performance, and protection can each vary widely. Carmine Colarusso knows this better than most. The CEO of Ultra1Plus has been blending oils for 25 years, many engineered to the specific needs of individual customers. As he sees it, “When you do an oil analysis, it’s like you’re doing a blood test,” he tells Kevin and Willie. “We have the biggest and widest product range that a manufacturer has for their customers…. Any product, we can make it.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With the release of its TKX next generation transmission in late 2020, TREMEC’s totally redesigned model quickly proved itself a gamechanger for both cars and trucks. While the timing may have initially seemed potentially disastrous, Modern DriveLine’s Bruce Couture reports that sales are up 70 percent over the prior year. “This pandemic has been great for business,” he ecstatically tells the guys, with no end in sight anytime soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie love wheelin’ and everything that has to do with steering and/or suspension, so they’re pumped to get a master class in bumps and humps from Frank Vasquez of KW Suspensions. From entry level all the way up to professional racing, KW is the epitome of German precision engineering in the category. With over 16 different options for any particular car, Frank’s quick to point out that they’re “just scratching the surface with some of our truck stuff.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fresh off a nine-day, 1600-mile cross country bike ride, Kevin’s a little raw but raring to go swapping stories with noted custom bike builder Kevin Dunworth. Add Willie to the mix and you’ve got a trio of diehard motorcycle fans shooting the breeze on everything two-wheeling past, present and future. “We are in the last of the gasoline era in cars and bikes,” observes Dunworth, before adding, “I might get beat up at the bar for saying this, but I think electric’s cool!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin’s former Two Guys Garage co-host and good buddy Bryan Fuller is renowned for his work creating custom motorcycles, hot rods, and old school classics. He’s most recently discovered a new itch for precision driving – a.k.a. racing – specifically open wheel, and he’s set his sights on rebuilding a rare, vintage Mirage M5 to run in Formula Ford. “My first race car, it’s kind of scary,” he confesses to the guys. “It’s exciting, it’s fun, it’s scary; I don’t know, lots of emotion.”
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Kevin and Willie welcome the “Father of the Ford GT” Chris Theodore for a special extended conversation chronicling his remarkable career in the automotive industry. The “engineer’s engineer,” Theodore has been a driving force behind some of the greatest vehicles of the 20th Century and beyond. His historic collaborations with the late Carroll Shelby culminated in the 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept car that gives his book – and this podcast – its subject. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The average age of vehicles on the road has ticked up to an all-time high of 12 years. Keeping them running cleaner and longer is the mission of TotalEnergies, the massive French company doing big things on a global scale. Luis Cerqueira and Darren Lesinski join the podcast to discuss what technologies are coming down the pike in terms of oil, natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, wind, and solar power. As the company strives to become greener in several respects, they’re at the cutting edge of developing oils that let the OEs literally design the engine around the oil!
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As co-host of the long-running MotorTrend series Truck U from Day 1, Matt Steele has seen a virtual truckload of trends come and go. Over the course of 17 seasons to date, his passion for all things trucks burns as brightly as ever. As he tells Kevin and Willie, “I’ve always been a truck guy,” and nowhere is this more evident than in his day job as owner of the mud bogging off-road event series, Trucks Gone Wild. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cleveland Power and Performance is a salvage yard like no other – a wonderland of curated parts and pieces, drive trains and engines harvested from crashed Camaros, Mustangs and Hellcats – that also happens to build mind-blowing hot rods like the noted ’69 Dodge Charger “Reverence” and last year’s SEMA Show stunner NIKA ‘79 Bronco. Owner Rick Fragnoli makes his third visit to the podcast to discuss all the latest goings on in the aftermarket and what lies ahead as the EV era dawns.
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Improvements in suspension geometry. More modern alignment settings. Reducing body roll. Evolutionary leaps in shock technology. What is the secret of Ridetech’s success? “It all starts with the people that work there,” Product Manager Darren Schilling explains to Kevin and Willie. “A lot of these products we developed we didn’t even know that we needed them or wanted them, and all of it was born usually in building a car.”
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Kevin’s old college buddy Ernesto Roedenbeck joins the guys for a little throttle therapy on the ins and outs of dirt biking. Willie refers to it as “Dirt Church” and Kevin as “the best video game ever,” where the #1 objective is to stay safe and not get killed. Dirt, sand, wheels up, wheels down, it’s all a blast, so grab your gear, boots and all, and strap in for a wild offroad adventure!
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Art, sophistication, elegance, performance and total badass-ery are the hallmarks of Rad Rides by Troy. As Bonneville, SEMA and Ridler Award-winning custom builder Troy Trepanier informs Willie and Kevin, “this ain’t no 40-hour job,” and that’s no joke. With a pledge to constantly raise the bar without sacrificing quality, he lives by his mantra: “We try to let the car tell us what it wants a little bit.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Spectra Premium has been producing high quality aftermarket products for over 30 years – everything from oil pans and fuel tanks to engine management, heavy duty segments and classic car parts – right here in North America. “At the end of the day, our customers are really looking for complete solutions to what they’re doing,” Director of Category Management Aaron Athey tells the guys. “We’ve kind of taken that premium mentality to everything we do.” Asked if he’s ever had a customer cry, Athey notes only when they’ve been disappointed elsewhere first, “and we’ve been able to turn some of those tears into smiles!”
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Former co-host Bryan Fuller joins Kevin and Willie to celebrate Two Guys Garage’s 20th Anniversary and chat about the trio’s recent reunion with original hosts Dave Bowman and Sam Memmolo on the milestone season finale. They also go deep on one of Bryan’s latest and most unexpected projects, outfitting a ’69 Cougar convertible with Tesla underpinnings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Back in the day, you had maybe two options for hoses – rubber and steel braided. Today, with so many different combinations to choose from, it can be downright overwhelming. What, why, and how to run the right lines is the domain of Brint McLellan, Technical Analyst at Fragola Performance Systems. Brint joins the guys to discuss the big mistakes, pros and cons, dos and don’ts of selecting and plumbing a wide array of fluid lines, from fuel to power steering, cooling to brakes, nitrous to racing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Generations have been trusting Dupli-Color and its sister product VHT for everything from oops-type fixes to full-on paint jobs since 1938. From prep and cleaner to undercoating, wheel coating, engine coating and truck bed coatings, Product Manager Brian A. Suter certainly has a lot on his color palette. Kevin and Willie caught up with him on a recent break to talk about the latest trends in the industry, his top tips for DIYers and how formulation is key to the continuing success of the brands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Photojournalist and die-hard magazine guy “REVan” Evan Smith’s had his finger on the pulse of performance and racing for as long as he or anyone else can remember. In this all-new chat with the guys, he talks about making the transition from print to video to digital, and the need to keep pace with rapidly changing technology and the distribution systems central to reaching car folks wherever they are. And for folks wondering how to get your car into your favorite publication he offers some great dos and don’ts you’ll definitely want to hear!
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In the second of a two-part project for the TV show, the guys really upped the ’69 Camaro’s game, converting it from fully carbureted to fully fuel injected, and doubling the original two-speed Powerglide to a four-speed. In this podcast, they explain how they did it and why this is a true DIY project almost anyone can do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris Gabrelcik, aka the Additive Alchemist and Guru of Goo, returns with more insights about “the cholesterol of your engine,” stiction. As CEO of Lubrication Specialties, Inc., a custom lubricant company breaking World Records in NHRDA racing, he’s proud to note that “the same thing we’re selling to our racing car guys is the same thing a diesel truck owner can buy for his truck.” It’s also a cost-effective product for keeping vehicles on the road longer, especially amid soaring inflation. “You’re reducing the friction and the wear, which is one thing, but you’re also doing the cleaning,” explains Kevin, “so it’s really the combination of those two things that’s kind of magical.”
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Kevin and Willie kick off Season 19 of the Two Guys Garage TV show by reconfiguring a 1969 Camaro from a strip car to a born-again daily driver, and in this companion podcast they detail the setup change and performance upgrades that propel the Gen 1 classic from fight to fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie welcome back Dave Smith, President/CEO at Factory Five Racing and one of their first guests from the podcast’s inception. A lot’s happened since then, but enthusiasm for FFR’s kit cars hasn’t waned a bit. “When you think about the satisfaction you get just from mowing your yard,” observes Kevin, “just magnify that by 10 bazillion!” From mistakes made and lessons learned to what’s new on the horizon, the guys have a lot of catching up to do!
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On this episode, Chris Small of AkzoNobel leads the guys on a deep dive exploration of different types of automotive paint and how to successfully apply them. Noting that “cleanliness is pretty much everything,” Small makes the case for waterborne over solvent based paints. “Less experienced painters can have better results blending and things like that right out of the gate.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Willie’s view, it represents “everything outside the car that means more than the car.” It’s your own personal Garage Mahal, “the getaway spot where you go to find your soul,” says Kevin. “My garage is where I go to find myself.” Today the guys welcome Brian McNamara of Gearhead Homes to lead them through the ins and outs of searching for, identifying, and purchasing the perfect place. “I find people a garage with an attached house,” he tells them. “You need the bedrooms for the toys, too.”
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On this episode the guys get a step-by-step crash course in powder coating from Lee Goldenstein of Pristine Powder Coating outside Denver. “I’m self-taught and self-trained,” says Lee, “and it’s just incredible what you can do now.” Header coatings in particular have become very popular, he notes; in addition to their killer looks available in hundreds of colors, they’re very strong and extremely durable, supplying a major reduction of radiant heat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When it comes to acceleration, Brian Tooley is the man that knows it all. He’s the King of Cams who’s figured out how to make 2+2=5. As Kevin points out, “You can pick a big cam, but what you match it with can really dramatically change your end results,” and Brian is on hand to explain the how and why of it. From the latest R&D at BTR Racing to the future and limitations of EV and hydrogen fuel cells, there’s a lot to learn.
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On today’s podcast Kevin observes that once you truly understand the way it moves, “the amount of things that you can go make with metal is incredible!” Much of the credit for this can be attributed to the good folks at Woodward Fab, purveyors of fine industrial grade sheet metal equipment at affordable prices. “The tools are very old and technology, they’re very, very simple,” says Manager Darren O’Brien, “but the right tool can make the difference in speed and quality of your project.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Willie and Kevin firmly believe that races are won with quality braking, as they extol the virtues of old school ABS. To prove their point, they enlist the expertise of Terry Fair, owner of Vorshlag Motorsports and a pioneer in ABS swaps for older platforms. “The better OEM systems have gotten really good,” Terry explains, “and not only does it improve your braking performance 20-30%, it improves driver confidence immensely.”
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Established in 1967, Kinsler Fuel Injection is all about stacks and individual throttle bodies. From vintage to state of the art, restoration to the latest and greatest, their specialty is and has always been classic stuff in modern interpretations. “My job is to burn up as much fuel as I can,” GM Greg Murchison tells Kevin and Willie, “because fuel is power.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie each have a serious case of Spring Fever – especially after two years of Covid – and can hardly wait to break out their toys and get back out there: Willie in his ’69 Charger and Kevin in his fully stripped-down Miata. Car shows, race days, road trips, marathon drives, autocross; you name it, they’re all revved up and almost ready to roll. A little maintenance and boom, it’s off to the races! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
zMAX Micro-lubricant is well known for its ability to soak into metal on a molecular level, dispersing nasty engine carbon build-up. Because the movement of metal is a constant engineering challenge, all types of companies have found uses for the product, from locomotives to small aircraft and large diesel engines. “Cars and speed are in our DNA,” notes VP and GM Dan Chittock, as epitomized by the company’s state-of-the-art 4-wide dragways in Charlotte and Las Vegas, a topic Willie and Kevin are all fired up to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RECARO Automotive is renowned for the ergonomics and design of its seats, highly engineered to ensure optimal safety and comfort. Global VP of Product Development & Brand, Nicole Longhini-McElroy, stops by to enlighten the guys about a whole lot more than just derrieres in chairs, especially the “importance of your body and fatigue in a vehicle, and how can you prevent that and give people the ultimate enjoyment of their vehicle.”
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Everyone’s heard the old adage, “There’s no replacement for displacement,” right? Well, Henry Bueno and Carsten Wagner of Wagner Tuning have gone to considerable lengths to thoroughly debunk this myth. Their intercoolers are a must-have for boosted applications, offering the largest application list of plug and play units in the aftermarket. With the company’s roots in Germany having recently expanded to a sprawling 60,000 square foot facility in Texas, Willie and Kevin are fired up to hear all about the art and science of cooling down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Livernois Motorsports & Engineering is the Detroit area’s one-stop shop for performance, service, and tuning. With all 22 lifts in the air and additional vehicles waiting underneath – driven largely by overwhelming demand for F-150 upgrades – the place is busting at the seams. Company president Dan Millen grabs a moment to catch his breath and talk with the guys about everything from supply chain related back orders, to crate engines, the EV evolution, and the future of ICE.
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What does the future of car audio look like? To answer this question, Kevin and Willie welcome John Myers of Kicker back to the podcast. Noting that the OEMs “do stuff to that audio signal that would just make an audiophile cringe,” Myers explains, “you’re really not buying car audio; you’re buying emotion.” Understanding the nuances and complexities of sound dynamics is the key. “You don’t know what you’re missing until you hear what you’re missing and then you gotta have it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
One of the top builders in the world, Levi Green of Hammer Fab is clearly on another level, crushing the stance on his unique creations with bad-ass attitude. The winner of the Ridler Award, Street Rod of the Year, Legend Cup and Barrett-Jackson Cup two times each(!) joins Kevin and Willie to discuss his work, his art, the state of 3D printing, the high cost of new technology, and his passion for training other professional builders how to reach their full potential.
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Kevin and Willie are about to geek out over history, old stuff, and cool things they learn from Matt Anderson, Curator of Transportation at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. “We’re really about the impact of the car on American culture and how it’s changed everything,” Matt tells the guys. “Before the Model T you could get a good car, you could get a cheap car, but you couldn’t get a good, cheap car; the Model T hit that sweet spot, and that changed everything.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie groove about the first five project vehicles they’ve completed on Season 21 of the TV show – upgrading a ’68 Camaro to EFI; repairing a ’12 Super Bee with serious piston damage; decking out a pair of ‘22 Broncos; and equipping a brand-new Jeep Gladiator for overlanding. Along the way they share some of the personal projects they’re working on and provide a few tips from lessons they’ve each learned over the years, sometimes the hard way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Gilmore Car Museum bills itself as North America’s largest auto museum, and for good reason. Located on 90 acres in southwestern Michigan, the sprawling campus features 7 partner museums; 190,000 square feet of exhibit space; 435 unique vehicles; 3 miles of pavement; and 100 rustic camping spaces. As summer approaches and the pandemic eases, Kevin and Willie welcome Executive Director Josh Russell to talk about pent-up visitor demand and the exciting attractions awaiting guests eager to experience everything from the latest Corvette exhibit to the popular chauffeured Ride the Classics program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wannabe builders Willie and Kevin welcome National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Famer Tim Strange for a personal tour through his storied career. From farm life to hot rod hero, from owner of Strange Motion to host of TV’s “Search & Restore”, Tim has amassed a prolific and wide-ranging body of work that is the envy of many… not least of all Willie, who recently debuted his first official SEMA build and eagerly awaits Tim’s appraisal of the finished project. But will it measure up?
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Chris Gabrelcik, CEO of Lubrication Specialties, maker of Hot Shot’s Secret, returns to the podcast to update the guys on the latest developments in additives, and he’s got a lot to talk about. From the promise of new nanoparticle technology to predictions of fill-for-life oil and forever-running engines within 10 years; next evolution solutions for RVs, ATVs, marine and more; additives to make generators last 2-3X longer and ways to increase fuel economy and lower greenhouse gases at a much higher level. Says Kevin, “I feel smarter, but melted inside a little bit!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Johnson of Induction Solutions returns to the podcast to address the question, “Is nitrous the forgotten power adder?” (Spoiler alert: That’s a resounding, “No!”) As Willie is quick to point out, “Bang for buck, you can’t do it more affordably and safer than nitrous nowadays,” to which Kevin adds, “And it’s a heck of a lot of fun!” From the evolution of the I-S Holey Moley nitrous plate system that delivers 625+ hp, to direct port systems and progressive controllers, the guys reveal common hurdles and myths about nitrous and offer these sage words of advice: Beware the internet!
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Believe it or not, there was a time when “a record player in the car was the ultimate in fidelity and entertainment,” notes Ted Cardenas, VP of Marketing at Pioneer Electronics. From record players to 8-tracks, cassettes to digital, satellite radio to car Wi-Fi and beyond, the 25-year company veteran excitedly tells the guys the best is yet to come. “The stuff we’ll have 5 years, 10 years, 15 years from now will eclipse everything that we have today, which is the coolest thing!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For nearly 60 years Detroit Autorama has hosted one of the most coveted competitions in custom car building, the prestigious Ridler Award. Recently returned from this year’s edition, noted designer Murray Pfaff regales the guys with all there was to see and do, including his very own D Lot – a 7,000 square foot “3-ring circus, portfolio, showcase, and epicenter” featuring a curated display of 9 one-of-a-kind vehicles and a Make-a-Wish Michigan online auction that awarded $40,000 in amazing gearhead prizes.
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Geoff Hacker and Guy Dirkin have dedicated themselves to preserving the legacy of cars that most people have probably never even heard or dreamed of… including Willie and Kevin! “I don’t chase cars; I chase stories,” says Hacker. Over the last 15 years he’s invested more than 15,000 hours of work into Undiscovered Classics and curated a huge library of archival materials on rare handcrafted American sportscars. “We’re revising the stories that no one’s heard in 60 years; that’s what makes it fun.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From science and engineering to technology and design, Bob Bitzky has seen and done everything there is to see and do in the mysterious world of welding. Over the course of his nearly half-century career as a professional welder – including 35+ of them at ESAB – he has become one of the foremost experts at torching molten steel. Kevin and Willie tap into his massive knowledge base for a lesson that will absolutely blow their minds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s the Car Guy’s Ultimate Dream Staycation. Located right off world-famous Woodward Ave outside the Motor City, sitting on 87 pristine acres housing 250 private garage condos ranging in size from 560 to 3000 sq ft, M1 Concourse is also home to a 1.5-mile, 11-turn high performance driving track and several world class events. As Willie exclaims to newly minted CEO Tim McGrane, “This is a place where your fun side gets to shine!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Radford Racing School in Chandler, Arizona is the official High Performance Driving School of Dodge//SRT plus a whole lot more. “R-A-D defines the school,” raves Willie. “It’s a playground with four tires,” extols Kevin. With 85 Dodge vehicles on campus – everything from Demons to Hellcats to Vipers – plus Lotus Evora GT and Formula 4 cars – GM Mike Kessler has one of the best jobs in the business. He’s also got amazing stories to share, including the incredible tale of Hellcat Granny that you’ve got to hear to believe!
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Skrape is up for anything and everything. The former co-founder of Tapout is known to pick up normal family-style cars on the cheap and transform them into horsepower heroes. His quirky fascination with wagons is well-known…as is his company. Black Widow Exhaust offers a unique line of mufflers with names like Venom, Widowmaker, Neighborhater and Angry Housewife. “It’s all a marketing thing,” he explains to Willie and Kevin, “but you have to have a good product to back it up, which we do.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SVTPerformance.com is THE go-to online forum for anything performance-related in the Ford world. Launched by Travis Hill in late 2000, today it numbers nearly 200,000 members and counting. “It is just a massive community of Ford enthusiasts who share a passion for just going fast,” Hill tells the guys, compelling even lifelong Mopar fan Willie B to take notice. “Make it, break it, build it better; get out there and have some fun!”
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Of the legendary Ken Lingenfelter, Willie says, “I bet more hours of his life have been dedicated to speeding up our rides and our cars and our events than probably anything else in his world.” And a most remarkable world it is! Noting that “there’s so much passion and enthusiasm with this whole car enthusiast side of things,” Ken engages the guys in a lively discussion touching on some of the top VIP moments over the course of his illustrious career, as well as the best, worst and most underrated Corvettes of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Reggie Wynn returns to the podcast for the first time since our inaugural episode and suffice it to say, there’ve been some pretty big developments in turbo tech since then. Turbonetics and Precision Turbo are now making units capable of producing up to 3000 horsepower, and their parent company is the only aftermarket manufacturer offering class-specific turbochargers. “This is the Golden Age of four-digit horsepower,” Kevin excitedly notes. “We are drug addicted with this stuff!”
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“Diesel’s here to stay, there’s no question about it now that diesel’s gotten so clean,” says Clint Cannon, and he would know. Willie and Kevin welcome the President of ATS Diesel Performance to the podcast to dissect the popular misconception that EPA-mandated emissions technology is somehow killing performance, instead making the case that OE trucks delivering 500+ hp and 1000+ lb-ft of torque is a clear indication that one is not at the expense of the other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Believe it or not, there’s another Willie B in the world – his mirrored identical twin, Billy. They’re two chips off the old engine block, each having inherited the car bug gene from their dad. Despite Willie’s well-known affinity for Mopar and Billy’s for GM, the brothers are otherwise symbiotic best friends, competitors, and passionate car guys. Kevin is anything but the third wheel in today’s conversation, chatting with the brothers about all things automotive, including Billy’s new venture in the tuning and dyno business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today Kevin and Willie set out to shed some light on the inherent mystery of, and awesome tools available for, tuning your vehicle. Noting that 1000 hp is the new 350, they enlist Jay Payson of HP Tuners to address both the ease and complexity of a successful tune. “We make the tools to tune with and our customers are doing the tuning,” says Jay. “And it’s absolutely remarkable what these guys are able to accomplish.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin’s buddy of 25 years, Doug DeLong, left the frozen tundra of Detroit for the great outdoors of Colorado, where he founded Well Sorted Automotive to celebrate the wide world of overlanding. As he tells the guys, “Most of what we’re doing is kind of that lifestyle of living the off-grid camp life,” largely by converting vintage trucks for off-roading, adventuring, and camping. Putting modern power in some of these old school platforms and bringing them back to life combines nostalgia with a cool factor that Willie and Kevin absolutely love.
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RaceQuip has been producing fire protection and safety gear for the racing community since 1975. Patrick “The Badger” Utt bought the company out of bankruptcy in 2006 and nurtured it back to life. The root of his success? “It’s all about building quality gear and coming in at that price point that that grassroots racer is looking for and being competitive at that.” And while this life saving equipment isn’t always top of mind with his customers, as he bluntly explains to Kevin and Willie, “Safety gear is less expensive than skin grafts.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Horsepower is like a drug; you race somebody and beat ‘em, you can’t wait to race the next guy.” So says John Meaney, the man behind the powerhouse that is Big Stuff 3. A trained engineer and passionate hot rodder, he makes some of the biggest power you’ve ever seen. According to Kevin, “it’s like a whole vehicle management rocket ship computer,” something Willie knows all about firsthand from running the products on his own cars. So, strap in for this one, it’s going to be a very fast ride! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The design work of Motofab’s Ernie Miyamoto spans a wide spectrum of creativity that can truly be defined as art. His one-of-a-kind ’72 VW Super Beetle hot rod is a triumph of fabrication and style, not to mention “the funnest car you’ll ever, ever be in in your life!” Building a car with the exhaust in mind, Ernie works freehand without the benefit of renderings. He’s learned a lot of lessons over the years, and as he tells Kevin and Willie in this podcast, “the hard part is visualizing it and making sure it fits; the other part is just fabricating.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jake Hawksworth and Jon Miller are at the forefront of what many expect to be an enormous explosion in the motorsports community: electric conversion kits. Electron and proton-produced power, performance and range are the order of the day at Hypercraft, causing die hard traditionalists Willie and Kevin fits wrapping their brains around the sea change now upon them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today Willie and Kevin are going vintage, beyond old school, to a time when Ford’s phenomenal flathead engine with its iconic V8 brought affordable parts to the masses – and gave birth to the original hot-rodding era in the process. Joining them on their journey is Bill Jagenow of Brothers Custom Automotive, who has an unbelievable eye for details and knows these engines inside and out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
At 6’5”, Cooper MacNeil is not your average race car driver. With numerous wins and championships to his credit – ALMS, Ferrari Challenge, Petit Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring – he’s run some of the world’s most iconic races, from Daytona to Le Mans. Noting that “you’re pretty much 100% every lap for 24 hours straight” has Willie and Kevin green with envy. “There’s nothing quite like doing 200 miles an hour – legally, that’s the key!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Godzilla is no longer just King of the Monsters – it’s also the latest engine from the Ford Motor Company, a 7.3L 446 V8 monster available on E-Series vans, Super Duty pickups and as a standalone crate engine. Brian Wolfe, retired Director of Global Engine Engineering at Ford, joins the guys for a revealing conversation on how this gamechanger came to be and what it means for the future of racing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From crankshafts to connecting rods, cams to engine blocks, Callies Performance Products is known for its trademark excellence, precision tolerances, high grade materials, demanding specs, and benchmark quality control standards. Direct from PRI, Heath Norton returns to the podcast for a chat with the guys on a wide range of topics, chief among them the challenges facing the performance industry from both the pandemic and the rising prominence of the EV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tommy Boileau is a consummate Throttle Jockey: racing go karts at age 7, Spec Miata at 14 and SCCA World Challenge at 16; eventually testing in Indycar and NASCAR before moving up to V8 Supercross, Rallycross and the Pikes Peak Hillclimb, an event he describes as “the biggest adrenaline rush I’ve ever had or probably ever will have.” In this podcast, Kevin and Willie tap Tommy’s professional expertise to get tips for Weekend Warriors, from setting tire pressure to adjusting sway bars and tuning shocks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Corry and Jason Weller met racing ATV Motocross in 2001 and have been together ever since. She’s raced Pro 4, won a UTV championship for Yamaha, and now runs for Can-Am. Aside from operating their successful aftermarket parts business, he’s been competing in King of the Hammers since 2016; together they’ll be co-drivers in the ’22 event. The dynamic couple joins the guys to talk about play time, work time, and their favorite pastime vacationing at one of the world’s most lawless spots!
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Season 2 gets off to a white-hot start as Kevin and Willie host welder extraordinaire Chris Razor for a not-to-be-missed master class featuring invaluable DIY tips and tricks. With clients including SpaceX and NASA, Chris is THE go-to guy who can burn just about anything – aluminum, steel, copper, titanium; you name it. From MIG to TIG, spacesuits to sunglasses, this dude’s got skills! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fresh from SEMA where his ’66 Charger made a huge splash, Willie B is pumped up about one of the most lauded builds of the show: Arrington Performance’s showpiece hydrogen-burning truck. We’re talking internal combustion engine here; no fuel cell and virtually no emissions. The mastermind behind the project, Mike Copeland, joins the guys to explain how it works, what it does, and what it means for the future of the automobile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
At the racetrack, the dealership, and in the aftermarket, Roush Performance and Ford are attached at the hip. “And aftermarket is truly not even a good term in my opinion,” says Director of Aftermarket Products Josh Hipp, “because every single thing that we do is engineered to Ford’s level or above.” Case in point: the hugely successful Roush F-150 Nitemare, billed as “the quickest production truck ever made.” As Josh explains to the guys, it’s this spirt for constantly pushing the envelope that keeps the company at the top of its game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie kick off Season 3 with a gripping conversation about one of the fastest-growing aftermarket categories flying under the radar – tire tech. Finding the right tire for your application is critical and may just be THE single biggest performance-related aspect of your vehicle. Ron Elliot of Hercules Tires is on hand to discuss the latest rip-roaring advances in all things rubber, from rock crawling to mudslinging, swamp to street. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You might refer to the 2JZ as The Little Engine That Does. “It’s probably the engine that really pushed the envelope for the imports,” says Victor Alvarez, the Oz behind the curtain at Induction Performance. As he tells Kevin and Willie, “It’s 2021 and we’re talking about an engine that was released in 1994 and it’s still extremely relevant.” Find out why, plus a whole lot more, including Victor’s picks for the 5 most crazy-fast street cars on the road these days, a couple of which might really surprise you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nothing affects your ride more than shocks and struts; they’re controlling the amount of bounce of the vehicle and the tire that’s gripping the road. Aaron Shaffer, KYB’s Director of Marketing and Product, is a former racer and go-to guy for any and all suspension-related questions. Today he joins Kevin and Willie with advice on controlling that bumpy road; how to know when it’s time for service or replacement; why it’s absolutely critical to increase damping when adding a bigger, heavier, larger wheel and tire; and assorted hacks to avoid unnecessary and costly DIY mistakes.
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Raised as a pit kid at the family-owned Brainerd International Raceway, daughter of a 27-time SCCA Champion, Courtney Hansen is without doubt one of the best-known automotive personalities on television. Perhaps not quite as well-known: she and Kevin Byrd came up together in the business on one of the most iconic automotive shows of all time. “We were kids on Overhaulin’ and all these years later we have kids of our own!” exclaims Courtney on this nostalgic and heartfelt trip down Memory Lane and into her multi-faceted present. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Who among us hasn’t scraped a curb and damaged a rim or tire? This can be a real nuisance, and a potentially pricey fix. Patrick Fletch joins the guys to explain how AlloyGator’s seamless system applies an engineering mindset to provide personalized protection, visual pop, and a colorful styling solution. Along the way, Willie introduces a phenomenon he’s dubbed “rolling mustard and mayonnaise” that swings the conversation in an unexpected direction! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heath Norton, VP of Callies Performance Products and its sister company, Energy Manufacturing Ltd., returns to the podcast to update the guys on some new product releases and the surprising impact the pandemic has had on the aftermarket. “We’re in the Second Golden Age of Muscle Cars,” he exclaims. “The streetcar market has gone bonkers!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie welcome the “Father of the Ford GT” Chris Theodore for a special extended conversation chronicling his remarkable career in the automotive industry. The “engineer’s engineer,” Theodore has been a driving force behind some of the greatest vehicles of the 20th Century and beyond. His historic collaborations with the late Carroll Shelby culminated in the 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept car that gives his book – and this podcast – its subject. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nothing gets car guys fired up quite like the throaty growl of an exhaust system – the balance of loudness and quality, the flavors of the exhaust notes. As systems are getting more and more complicated, the guys wonder what’s coming down the pipeline, literally. “We’re in a world today where you have total system continuity,” answers the man from Magnaflow, Richard Waitas. “From the bumper to the motor to the exhaust to the interior, everything’s connected.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris Gabrelcik of Hot Shot’s Secret returns to the podcast for another deep dive into the complex chemistry of lubricants, oils, and fluids. With his VP of Research and Development Kevin Adams in tow, the Guru of Goo leads Kevin and Willie through some of the key principles of Tribology, the science and engineering of interacting surfaces in relative motion. The conversation is anything but dry; stick around! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Christmas comes early this year in the form of the all-new TREMEC TKX, their slimmer, rounder, lighter next generation 5-speed transmission that delivers an astounding 8000 RPM. “This is the first time we’ve actually developed a transmission specifically for the aftermarket,” says TREMEC’s Mike Kidd, while Kevin and Willie pick their dropped jaws off the floor. With multiple shifter locations capable of handling those 8000 RPMs, it’s the sweet spot that weekend warriors and hot rod builders have been needing for a really long time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s cars and trucks are increasingly more complex machines running on ever more powerful computers, spitting out codes and diagnostic information that can be difficult for a DIYer to decipher. The new OTOFIX scanning tool is poised to change all that, offering dealer quality, access, and capability at an affordable price. Maurice Miller and Daniel Bemiss join Kevin and Willie to discuss the super powerful, easy to use, and highly connected device that Kevin hails as the “solution that I’ve been looking for!”
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A safety fuel cell is a legit piece of racing hardware; an indispensable replacement for a fuel tank with a whole lot of advantages for hotrodders. Aero Tec Laboratories has been producing and perfecting these since 1970. Ron Ross attributes ATL’s success to constant R&D and one fundamental principle: “We can’t sit still and not move forward.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As co-host of the long-running MotorTrend series Truck U from Day 1, Matt Steele has seen a virtual truckload of trends come and go. Over the course of 17 seasons to date, his passion for all things trucks burns as brightly as ever. As he tells Kevin and Willie, “I’ve always been a truck guy,” and nowhere is this more evident than in his day job as owner of the mud bogging off-road event series, Trucks Gone Wild.
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Few things are a bigger bummer than overheating. But keeping a white-hot engine running cool is no easy task. Willie and Kevin know that not all fans are created equal, and in this podcast, Fred Garza of Maradyne High Performance Fans provides some fresh insights about staying cool under extreme heat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With the release of its TKX next generation transmission in late 2020, TREMEC’s totally redesigned model quickly proved itself a gamechanger for both cars and trucks. While the timing may have initially seemed potentially disastrous, Modern DriveLine’s Bruce Couture reports that sales are up 70 percent over the prior year. “This pandemic has been great for business,” he ecstatically tells the guys, with no end in sight anytime soon.
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Classic hot rods are as much about cruising as they are about digging deep and going fast. But they don’t offer much beyond three original gears. Adding a Gear Vendors overdrive system is a simple and versatile way to correct that and still maintain the value and integrity of the vehicle. In this episode, the guys get the skinny from company CEO Rick Johnson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Will Dover, Director of Category Management, Undercar at CarParts.com joins the guys to discuss one of the two most essential aspects of driving – stopping. While not everyone sees the fun factor of brakes, those who do can really appreciate how great stopping power enhances vehicle performance and driving pleasure. Selecting the right kit can be daunting, posing this challenge for Will: “How do we make it as simple as possible for the customer to find the right product for their car so that we can get them back on the road as quickly as possible?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Navigating a virtual rat’s nest of wires can drive just about any DIYer to the breaking point of gutting their electrical system and starting from scratch. Willie and Kevin know this drill all too well, and in this podcast they turn to American Autowire’s R&D Manager Don Bock for help with hassle-free wiring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former co-host Bryan Fuller joins Kevin and Willie to celebrate Two Guys Garage’s 20th Anniversary and chat about the trio’s recent reunion with original hosts Dave Bowman and Sam Memmolo on the milestone season finale. They also go deep on one of Bryan’s latest and most unexpected projects, outfitting a ’69 Cougar convertible with Tesla underpinnings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Willie B is deep in the throes of his first solo SEMA build on a rare 1966 Dodge Charger “slapper” car that is most definitely NOT a General Lee. With the clock ticking down, he’s sliced, diced, cut, chopped and wide-bodied it, learning firsthand that “most nightmares occur while you’re awake.” In this final installment of our five-part series, he begins to question whether all the lost sleep, high stress, and hurdle after hurdle will be worth it in the end.
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As president of Factory Five Racing, Dave Smith is the poster child for pride in ownership. The “Built, Not Bought®” kit car company has weathered its share of storms over the course of 27 years, with the last year-and-a-half being “both the most challenging and maybe a lot of fun, too, but not in the way I thought.” Consider this: There are 4500 parts in one kit, and with 10 kits sold in an average week, that’s 45,000 parts leaving the building in a single week. Add a global pandemic to the mix and, as Dave tells the guys, things get complicated real fast.
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Rob Ida is a third-generation car builder and, in Kevin’s estimation, one of the most talented designer-builders on the planet. His penchant for Tuckers is renowned, and he also tackles an incredible array of projects from the most modern to most archaic and just about everything in between. In Part 4 of our five-part series, Rob chronicles the hurdles and headaches of restoring a rare 1962 Holman Moody Ford Falcon/Challenger 3 for SEMA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Once upon a time, old school hot rodders had to sacrifice cabin comfort for horsepower. Today, there are zero reasons for any cool car not to have AC. Much of the credit for this can be attributed to the folks at Vintage Air and its Chief Innovation Officer, Ryan Zwicker. The company’s SureFit and Front Runner systems have revolutionized the industry, leading Willie to dub them “the panacea of pulleys,” and Ryan to note that the “best way to judge a fan’s capacity to do work is how much motor it has on it.”
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As owner of the successful Girl Gang Garage and co-host of MotorTrend’s long-running hit series All Girls Garage and Garage Squad, Bogi Lateiner has earned an enviable reputation in the automotive world. Now deep into her third all-female SEMA build – “I did not expect to be building a SEMA car, ever!”– she takes time out to chat with Kevin and Willie about the project in the third installment of our five-part series. “It’s the biggest undertaking that I’ve ever done; it is absolutely insane, it’s just an unreal project!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Geoff Hacker and Guy Dirkin have dedicated themselves to preserving the legacy of cars that most people have probably never even heard or dreamed of… including Willie and Kevin! “I don’t chase cars; I chase stories,” says Hacker. Over the last 15 years he’s invested more than 15,000 hours of work into Undiscovered Classics and curated a huge library of archival materials on rare handcrafted American sportscars. “We’re revising the stories that no one’s heard in 60 years; that’s what makes it fun.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the second podcast of this five-part series, Willie goes deep on his first gen ‘66 Dodge Charger build for this year’s SEMA Show. Not exactly renowned for its natural beauty, this labor of love (emphasis on labor) is inspired in part by Kevin’s own kick-ass 1990 LS-powered BMW M3 build several SEMAs back. “Ugly cars get really cool at SEMA,” notes Willie, “and sometimes really gorgeous cars get really ugly at SEMA!”
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Cleveland Power & Performance is a one-of-a-kind hybrid: part salvage yard, part custom build shop, and all-around amazing. Kevin describes it as “a go-to place for nothing but the awesome stuff,” and second-generation owner Rick Fragnoli doesn’t disagree. In fact, his famed “Reverence” restomod – a ’69 Charger with a 6.2L supercharged Hellcat engine – recently sold for around $400K. “If it’s a $20 part or a $20,000 part,” Rick tells the guys, “we’ll work with whatever parameters people need.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If SEMA is the Super Bowl of car shows, the Ring Brothers are the Lebron and Michael of car builders. Yet even Jim and Mike are up against the wall trying to get parts for the three projects they’re bringing to this year’s highly anticipated event, the first since the onset of the pandemic. In the first of a five-part series leading up to SEMA, Kevin and Willie go two-on-two with the legendary siblings who modestly describe themselves as “just guys that like cars and [are] lucky enough that people like what we’re doing.”
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On today’s podcast Kevin observes that once you truly understand the way it moves, “the amount of things that you can go make with metal is incredible!” Much of the credit for this can be attributed to the good folks at Woodward Fab, purveyors of fine industrial grade sheet metal equipment at affordable prices. “The tools are very old and technology, they’re very, very simple,” says Manager Darren O’Brien, “but the right tool can make the difference in speed and quality of your project.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the second of their two-part interview with Gale Banks, Willie and Kevin get deeper insights into the man who changed the history of the internal combustion engine. “I’m hopelessly addicted to horsepower,” exclaims the racing legend who cut his teeth on gas and is now largely known for diesel. On predicting what lies ahead, the born to run competitor anticipates “it has to have a higher energy density.” And that’s just the beginning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Established in 1967, Kinsler Fuel Injection is all about stacks and individual throttle bodies. From vintage to state of the art, restoration to the latest and greatest, their specialty is and has always been classic stuff in modern interpretations. “My job is to burn up as much fuel as I can,” GM Greg Murchison tells Kevin and Willie, “because fuel is power.”
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Gale Banks is a force to be reckoned with – a legend with 11 patents and hundreds of copyrights, he has literally changed the world of hot rodding. In the first of a two-part conversation with Kevin and Willie, the self-described “full-blooded nerd” reflects on numerous milestones throughout his 50+ years in the business, concluding that “the underlying theme for my whole career is the turbo charger.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When it comes to Chevy Blazers, Mark Sopko of Motor City K5 is THE go-to guy. “I did Broncos for almost 20 years; I knew Broncos like the back of my hand,” before deciding to change course and specialize exclusively in Blazers. “I was expert in the old world, I need to be expert in the Blazer world,” he tells Kevin and Willie, “so that’s what I did.” And in a big way, with his 4WD SUV walking off with First Place at 2020’s Detroit Autorama.
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Kevin and Willie ponder the science, the mystery, the voodoo behind the harmonic balancer that holds an engine together. They invite Fluidampr’s Ivan Snyder III to school them on the three types of vibration to be aware of – unbalanced, axial and torsional – starting with Lesson #1: You know you’ve gotta have a damper, but what the hell is it? The answer: It’s crucial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie are about to geek out over history, old stuff, and cool things they learn from Matt Anderson, Curator of Transportation at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. “We’re really about the impact of the car on American culture and how it’s changed everything,” Matt tells the guys. “Before the Model T you could get a good car, you could get a cheap car, but you couldn’t get a good, cheap car; the Model T hit that sweet spot, and that changed everything.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Driveshafts take a relentless beating, constantly applying load with substantial torque. Repairs, upgrades and modifications are always top of mind for Lee Mejia of The Driveshaft Shop. Citing expensive custom builds that completely neglect driveshafts and axles, Lee regales Willie and Kevin with stories of destructive and real-world testing, like what happens when a heavy projectile made out of steel suddenly pole vaults or grenades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Believe it or not, there was a time when “a record player in the car was the ultimate in fidelity and entertainment,” notes Ted Cardenas, VP of Marketing at Pioneer Electronics. From record players to 8-tracks, cassettes to digital, satellite radio to car Wi-Fi and beyond, the 25-year company veteran excitedly tells the guys the best is yet to come. “The stuff we’ll have 5 years, 10 years, 15 years from now will eclipse everything that we have today, which is the coolest thing!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
They may not be all that sexy, but when it comes to pneumatics and air tools, a compressor is the first and most critical big tool you’re likely to buy. Today the guys learn from Jarrett Affolter of Ingersoll Rand all there is to know about air compressors – the different types, what the fail points are, how to make them last forever, and what size you need to do what you want to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Livernois Motorsports and Engineering is making great modern horsepower come alive in your car, and they’re doing it in the easiest and simplest of ways. “Everything today starts with the tuner, it’s the cheapest mod you can do,” co-founder Dan Millen tells the guys. With 27 lifts and 45-50 cars in the shop at any given time, this self-described die-hard Ford guy turned die-hard everything guy is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible both on and off the track. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cut-and-stick-on sound deadening materials are effective, but can be a slog to install. In this episode, Kevin and Willie detail how LizardSkin’s spray-on insulation eliminates the misery so often associated with thermal management and noise reduction DIY projects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s the Car Guy’s Ultimate Dream Staycation. Located right off world-famous Woodward Ave outside the Motor City, sitting on 87 pristine acres housing 250 private garage condos ranging in size from 560 to 3000 sq ft, M1 Concourse is also home to a 1.5-mile, 11-turn high performance driving track and several world class events. As Willie exclaims to newly minted CEO Tim McGrane, “This is a place where your fun side gets to shine!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Advances in technology are breathing new life into old hot rods and muscle cars, in many cases allowing them to do things they were never intended to do. Consider the massive performance capabilities in bolt-on suspension packages now leading an explosion in the restomod and truck categories. In this episode, the guys discuss developments with diehard car guy Mike Ruth, Chief Application Engineer leading the charge at Heidts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Vorshlag Motorsports owner Terry Fair knows the ins and outs of every type of go-fast car. Autocross, open track events, time trials, wheel to wheel road racing, drag racing; you name it, he’s done it at a high level. As if that’s not impressive enough, Kevin has dubbed him “the Christopher Columbus of LS swaps,” having been at the forefront of a movement that has gone from laughed at to lauded. Strap in for some fascinating conversation as Terry shares his wealth of knowledge with the guys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A near-death experience incorrectly strapping a car on a trailer taught Willie a hard lesson on the rights and wrongs of vehicle transport. On this episode of the podcast, Joe Parks of industry leader Pilot Transport shares his observations and experience moving everything from a Ford Escort to a Bugatti Veyron across 49 states and Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fresh off a nine-day, 1600-mile cross country bike ride, Kevin’s a little raw but raring to go swapping stories with noted custom bike builder Kevin Dunworth. Add Willie to the mix and you’ve got a trio of diehard motorcycle fans shooting the breeze on everything two-wheeling past, present and future. “We are in the last of the gasoline era in cars and bikes,” observes Dunworth, before adding, “I might get beat up at the bar for saying this, but I think electric’s cool!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For pure sub-9 second, factory direct, mega horsepower drag racing, nothing beats COPO Camaro. Just ask Rich Rinke, multi award-winning driver and owner of COPO Parts Direct. Kevin and Willie do just that as they get the inside scoop on the latest and greatest. From battles royale in the staging lanes, to the next evolution of the Central Office Production Order, one thing remains constant, says Rich: “We’re a bunch of overgrown Hot Wheels lovers!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Back in the day, instrument clusters had some very cool designs and architecture, albeit limited functionality due to the available technology of the times. Today, getting the gauges just right for your resto mod project is the sole mission of Classic Instruments. As owner John McCleod puts it, “We really want that old school look and feel, but being able to run modern,” to which Willie replies with awe, “It really is a craft and a skill; it’s straight up art.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s a fairly simple equation: More Air + More Fuel = More Power. A supercharger can boost that power by as much as 50-85%. Now ProCharger has changed the game with its F3X capable of generating 3500 HP @ 70,000 RPM. Sergio Shifman joins the guys to explore the company’s lineup of full kits that can add hundreds of horses to late-model vehicles in a single weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Of the legendary Ken Lingenfelter, Willie says, “I bet more hours of his life have been dedicated to speeding up our rides and our cars and our events than probably anything else in his world.” And a most remarkable world it is! Noting that “there’s so much passion and enthusiasm with this whole car enthusiast side of things,” Ken engages the guys in a lively discussion touching on some of the top VIP moments over the course of his illustrious career, as well as the best, worst and most underrated Corvettes of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lots of folks love a car or truck that looks old but drives like new. Crate motors, overdrive transmissions and big brakes have blown open the resto market, and that’s been good for business at Auto Metal Direct. GM Mike Gray gives the guys a primer on how AMD’s sheet metal is better than OE, why quality matters, and the reason muscle car guys love trucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today Kevin and Willie set out to shed some light on the inherent mystery of, and awesome tools available for, tuning your vehicle. Noting that 1000 hp is the new 350, they enlist Jay Payson of HP Tuners to address both the ease and complexity of a successful tune. “We make the tools to tune with and our customers are doing the tuning,” says Jay. “And it’s absolutely remarkable what these guys are able to accomplish.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“The future creates the present.” So Google’s top-rated futurist speaker Thomas Frey tells the guys in this fascinating podcast. From predictions of the death of the internal combustion engine and the emergence of the 1000-mile range electric car, to the impact of autonomous vehicles on real estate values and how the Covid era will fundamentally change mankind, “We’re gonna try to stretch people’s thinking a little bit here, so let’s jump right in!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The aftermarket is a $300 billion industry powered by 270,000 independent shops driving massive amounts of inventory. When COVID swept in, it required an immediate need to pivot. As Chief Merchandising Officer, Dave Morris was at the forefront of navigating those rough seas for CarParts.com. In an insightful and candid conversation, the 30-year industry veteran takes Kevin and Willie behind the scenes of how the company not only survived but thrived throughout this unprecedented crisis. “We’re a very analytical company,” he explains. “We sell jobs, not parts.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Rambler Ranch in Colorado is, in a word, unique. THE destination for all things AMC, Nash (and Kelvinator appliances) is home to, as Willie puts it, “one of the most amazing car collections on Earth.” Started in 1992 with 30 cars and now numbering upwards of 800, rarities include a 1955 Pinin Farina Speciale, 1948 Nash Tow Truck, AMC Marquesa prototype, and the only AMC Concord Touring Car in existence. “I have seen grown men cry,” says caretaker Ben Hamilton, “and I’m not joking.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris Gabrelcik, CEO of Lubrication Specialties, maker of Hot Shot’s Secret, returns to the podcast to update the guys on the latest developments in additives, and he’s got a lot to talk about. From the promise of new nanoparticle technology to predictions of fill-for-life oil and forever-running engines within 10 years; next evolution solutions for RVs, ATVs, marine and more; additives to make generators last 2-3X longer and ways to increase fuel economy and lower greenhouse gases at a much higher level. Says Kevin, “I feel smarter, but melted inside a little bit!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Troy Ladd has a special love for old school hot rods, especially 30’s-era hot rods. Ever since he built his first car in high school – a ’66 Mustang – the visionary behind Hollywood Hot Rods has made his bones on new stuff that looks like old stuff and makes you feel like you’re back in 1936. From one-of-a-kind barnyard finds to the one that got away, Troy tells the guys, “I wish I had the ability to keep them all and never sell a car,” but unfortunately that’s no way to run a business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Generations have been trusting Dupli-Color and its sister product VHT for everything from oops-type fixes to full-on paint jobs since 1938. From prep and cleaner to undercoating, wheel coating, engine coating and truck bed coatings, Product Manager Brian A. Suter certainly has a lot on his color palette. Kevin and Willie caught up with him on a recent break to talk about the latest trends in the industry, his top tips for DIYers and how formulation is key to the continuing success of the brands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fabrication is essentially the Architecture of How – how to manipulate materials to maximize form and function. Deryck Griffith of Vibrant Performance refers to the process as using “LEGO pieces made out of metal,” as he explains to Kevin and Willie how the company “consolidates the needs of the artist” with high tech engineering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
zMAX Micro-lubricant is well known for its ability to soak into metal on a molecular level, dispersing nasty engine carbon build-up. Because the movement of metal is a constant engineering challenge, all types of companies have found uses for the product, from locomotives to small aircraft and large diesel engines. “Cars and speed are in our DNA,” notes VP and GM Dan Chittock, as epitomized by the company’s state-of-the-art 4-wide dragways in Charlotte and Las Vegas, a topic Willie and Kevin are all fired up to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From the old pole barn in the woods to the custom multicar garage and the ultra-modern car condo, gearheads have been searching for the perfect Man Cave / Mechanic’s Dream since time immemorial. Brian McNamara of Gearhead Homes joins the guys today to answer the call as he reveal the tricks of the trade and hottest trends in auto-centric real estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Skrape is up for anything and everything. The former co-founder of Tapout is known to pick up normal family-style cars on the cheap and transform them into horsepower heroes. His quirky fascination with wagons is well-known…as is his company. Black Widow Exhaust offers a unique line of mufflers with names like Venom, Widowmaker, Neighborhater and Angry Housewife. “It’s all a marketing thing,” he explains to Willie and Kevin, “but you have to have a good product to back it up, which we do.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For Kevin and Willie, driving is all about the fun factor, and that means throwing gears – we’re talking huge left thigh, major heel-toe clutch action. More discs = more torque, and that means twin, triple and now even quad disc clutches. On this episode, Geoff Gerko of Mantic Clutch exposes surprising ways clutches are wrecked, and reveals best practices for preserving them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Gilmore Car Museum bills itself as North America’s largest auto museum, and for good reason. Located on 90 acres in southwestern Michigan, the sprawling campus features 7 partner museums; 190,000 square feet of exhibit space; 435 unique vehicles; 3 miles of pavement; and 100 rustic camping spaces. As summer approaches and the pandemic eases, Kevin and Willie welcome Executive Director Josh Russell to talk about pent-up visitor demand and the exciting attractions awaiting guests eager to experience everything from the latest Corvette exhibit to the popular chauffeured Ride the Classics program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever wonder what it’s like to spend your working hours conjuring visions of cool custom cars and then seeing them actually brought to life? Designer Murray Pfaff has been doing exactly that for years, and in this episode he regales the guys with tales of dreams made real that are absolutely to die for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Diesel’s here to stay, there’s no question about it now that diesel’s gotten so clean,” says Clint Cannon, and he would know. Willie and Kevin welcome the President of ATS Diesel Performance to the podcast to dissect the popular misconception that EPA-mandated emissions technology is somehow killing performance, instead making the case that OE trucks delivering 500+ hp and 1000+ lb-ft of torque is a clear indication that one is not at the expense of the other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For many in the hot rodding world, the sport is much more than a hobby, it’s an obsession; the passion is in the blood. Case in point: Dan Millen and the gang at Livernois Motorsports and Engineering. As Willie and Kevin discover in this podcast, these guys buy and drive only what they can modify… which is just about anything and everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Raised as a pit kid at the family-owned Brainerd International Raceway, daughter of a 27-time SCCA Champion, Courtney Hansen is without doubt one of the best-known automotive personalities on television. Perhaps not quite as well-known: she and Kevin Byrd came up together in the business on one of the most iconic automotive shows of all time. “We were kids on Overhaulin’ and all these years later we have kids of our own!” exclaims Courtney on this nostalgic and heartfelt trip down Memory Lane and into her multi-faceted present. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Metalworking can be intimidating, and the learning curve can be steep. But thanks to Darren O’Brien and the good folks at Woodward Fab, it doesn’t have to be. On this episode, the guys discuss how the company’s versatile lineup of affordable tools removes the fear factor and will have you fabricating in no time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Godzilla is no longer just King of the Monsters – it’s also the latest engine from the Ford Motor Company, a 7.3L 446 V8 monster available on E-Series vans, Super Duty pickups and as a standalone crate engine. Brian Wolfe, retired Director of Global Engine Engineering at Ford, joins the guys for a revealing conversation on how this gamechanger came to be and what it means for the future of racing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Evan Smith of REVan Media has a reputation as THE behind-the-scenes media mogul of the automotive world – a writer/photographer/test pilot with all the inside scoop on the OEs. And man, can this guy wheel! Kevin and Willie sit down with REVan Evan for a freewheeling discussion about all the baddest, newest and trendiest goings on, and what it’s like in the driver’s seat of the Ford GT 350 and 500, Corvette C8, Dodge 392 and ZL1 Camaro. Strap in and hang on for a fun ride! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, Chris Small of AkzoNobel leads the guys on a deep dive exploration of different types of automotive paint and how to successfully apply them. Noting that “cleanliness is pretty much everything,” Small makes the case for waterborne over solvent based paints. “Less experienced painters can have better results blending and things like that right out of the gate.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Comedian Christopher Titus is an automotive addict. “The disease bites you,” he admits to Kevin and Willie. “It’s terminal, I can’t get rid of it, and I’m glad I have it!” In a lively discussion, the trio of horsepower freaks share crash and burn stories, discuss the famous Titus-Foose “Once a Knight” ’56 Chevy, and agree that “cars are a great litmus test for any relationship you’re in”… well, that and IKEA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
At the racetrack, the dealership, and in the aftermarket, Roush Performance and Ford are attached at the hip. “And aftermarket is truly not even a good term in my opinion,” says Director of Aftermarket Products Josh Hipp, “because every single thing that we do is engineered to Ford’s level or above.” Case in point: the hugely successful Roush F-150 Nitemare, billed as “the quickest production truck ever made.” As Josh explains to the guys, it’s this spirt for constantly pushing the envelope that keeps the company at the top of its game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie go behind the scenes with longtime SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting as he prepares to roll out SEMA 360, the organization’s new online platform created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the annual Las Vegas trade show. With over 6,000 member companies, the Specialty Equipment Market Association is much more than its namesake event. The preeminent trade association of the automotive aftermarket is on the front line of defense, actively tackling the biggest challenges facing the $45 billion industry. “It’s a whack-a-mole gig” that keeps Chris extremely busy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
RaceQuip has been producing fire protection and safety gear for the racing community since 1975. Patrick “The Badger” Utt bought the company out of bankruptcy in 2006 and nurtured it back to life. The root of his success? “It’s all about building quality gear and coming in at that price point that that grassroots racer is looking for and being competitive at that.” And while this life saving equipment isn’t always top of mind with his customers, as he bluntly explains to Kevin and Willie, “Safety gear is less expensive than skin grafts.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rebuilding steering columns is a huge pain in the butt. Kevin and Willie have restored enough street cars, race cars and classics to appreciate the simplicity of updating old straights, tilts and column shifts with brand new quick release equipment and digital dash mounts. Today, ididit GM Trever Cornwell gives them the lowdown on how to steer clear of trouble. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What does the future of car audio look like? To answer this question, Kevin and Willie welcome John Myers of Kicker back to the podcast. Noting that the OEMs “do stuff to that audio signal that would just make an audiophile cringe,” Myers explains, “you’re really not buying car audio; you’re buying emotion.” Understanding the nuances and complexities of sound dynamics is the key. “You don’t know what you’re missing until you hear what you’re missing and then you gotta have it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fans of the long-running series Overhaulin’ may recall that our very own Kevin Byrd appeared in some early episodes alongside Adrienne Janic, aka “AJ”. On this episode, AJ joins Kevin and Willie for a lively discussion about automotive television past and present, ranging from her initial trial by fire as a novice working alongside Chip Foose, to some of her most memorable and outrageous experiences on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week’s podcast, Kevin muses how brakes are “one of the coolest things you can put on a car, and who would’ve ever thought?” Well, Brembo North America President and CEO Dan Sandberg for one, and Performance Director Mike Messina for another. Not a company known to rest on its laurels, Brembo has just introduced its new UPGRADE program, a direct replacement for OE parts. “Don’t underestimate the brakes,” Dan tells the guys. “Stuff happens.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CARtoons Magazine entertained and enthralled generations of car kids and adults from its birth in 1959 through its final issue in 1991. That is until 2015, when Mark Methout unexpectedly resurrected the legendary title. In this podcast, the CEO and Publisher regales Willie and Kevin with the colorful tale of his unlikely journey from recovering the abandoned trademark and reuniting some of the original artists, to reviving the beloved publication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You might refer to the 2JZ as The Little Engine That Does. “It’s probably the engine that really pushed the envelope for the imports,” says Victor Alvarez, the Oz behind the curtain at Induction Performance. As he tells Kevin and Willie, “It’s 2021 and we’re talking about an engine that was released in 1994 and it’s still extremely relevant.” Find out why, plus a whole lot more, including Victor’s picks for the 5 most crazy-fast street cars on the road these days, a couple of which might really surprise you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Jamie Meyer’s credentials are impressive to say the least: PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology; postdoctoral researcher in molecular genetics; former head of GM Performance; and now the newly minted President of the Performance Racing Industry. In a frank and wide-ranging conversation, the guys discuss everything from the LSX and COPO Camaro initiatives he led, to Dr. Meyer’s vision for PRI during COVID-19 and a post-pandemic world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Everyone’s heard the old adage, “There’s no replacement for displacement,” right? Well, Henry Bueno and Carsten Wagner of Wagner Tuning have gone to considerable lengths to thoroughly debunk this myth. Their intercoolers are a must-have for boosted applications, offering the largest application list of plug and play units in the aftermarket. With the company’s roots in Germany having recently expanded to a sprawling 60,000 square foot facility in Texas, Willie and Kevin are fired up to hear all about the art and science of cooling down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
All shocks are not created equal. Engineering and manufacturing are critical to effectively tuning, running and racing them. On this episode of the podcast, Willie and Kevin get schooled by legendary suspension expert Jeff Ryan of JRi Shocks. “A shock can cure a lot of things,” he tells them, “but it can’t cure everything.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today Willie and Kevin are going vintage, beyond old school, to a time when Ford’s phenomenal flathead engine with its iconic V8 brought affordable parts to the masses – and gave birth to the original hot-rodding era in the process. Joining them on their journey is Bill Jagenow of Brothers Custom Automotive, who has an unbelievable eye for details and knows these engines inside and out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode the guys go deep with Mark Stielow, Sr. Manager at GM in Advanced Vehicle Dynamics, described by Kevin as “one of the sharpest car cats – from designing, to building, to driving the damn tires off!” Mark knows all there is to know about Camaros, having built 17 of them during his career-long tenure at General Motors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There’s certainly no shortage of aftermarket waxes and polishes. Let the buyer beware – when it comes to “flossy and glossy,” not all products are created equal. Consider this alternative: ceramic coatings that create show-quality finishes that can last 9+ years. Kevin Davis from Gtechniq educates the guys on what it is and what sets it apart, schooling them on chemical bonding, physical curing, and the difference between hydrophobic and hydrophilic lubricity. Who knew? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode the guys get a step-by-step crash course in powder coating from Lee Goldenstein of Pristine Powder Coating outside Denver. “I’m self-taught and self-trained,” says Lee, “and it’s just incredible what you can do now.” Header coatings in particular have become very popular, he notes; in addition to their killer looks available in hundreds of colors, they’re very strong and extremely durable, supplying a major reduction of radiant heat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heath Norton, VP of Callies Performance Products and its sister company, Energy Manufacturing Ltd., returns to the podcast to update the guys on some new product releases and the surprising impact the pandemic has had on the aftermarket. “We’re in the Second Golden Age of Muscle Cars,” he exclaims. “The streetcar market has gone bonkers!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For all those who aspire to have their ride inspire “the look-back,” this one’s for you. Willie and Kevin introduce a pair of prepping and painting pros armed with expert recommendations on how to make your Technicolor dreams come true. First up is Tom Williams of Mobile Environmental Solutions, purveyor of super clean, affordable, portable, pop-up paint booths, followed by Thin Red Line Paint Specialist’s Raymond Harrison, with advice on fillers, primers, and ratios, and a mantra to just “take your time and have fun with it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The design work of Motofab’s Ernie Miyamoto spans a wide spectrum of creativity that can truly be defined as art. His one-of-a-kind ’72 VW Super Beetle hot rod is a triumph of fabrication and style, not to mention “the funnest car you’ll ever, ever be in in your life!” Building a car with the exhaust in mind, Ernie works freehand without the benefit of renderings. He’s learned a lot of lessons over the years, and as he tells Kevin and Willie in this podcast, “the hard part is visualizing it and making sure it fits; the other part is just fabricating.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tommy Boileau is a consummate Throttle Jockey: racing go karts at age 7, Spec Miata at 14 and SCCA World Challenge at 16; eventually testing in Indycar and NASCAR before moving up to V8 Supercross, Rallycross and the Pikes Peak Hillclimb, an event he describes as “the biggest adrenaline rush I’ve ever had or probably ever will have.” In this podcast, Kevin and Willie tap Tommy’s professional expertise to get tips for Weekend Warriors, from setting tire pressure to adjusting sway bars and tuning shocks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Season 2 gets off to a white-hot start as Kevin and Willie host welder extraordinaire Chris Razor for a not-to-be-missed master class featuring invaluable DIY tips and tricks. With clients including SpaceX and NASA, Chris is THE go-to guy who can burn just about anything – aluminum, steel, copper, titanium; you name it. From MIG to TIG, spacesuits to sunglasses, this dude’s got skills! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With their suspensions, systems and full-on builds, Detroit Speed is at the forefront of the Pro Touring movement. In this episode, President and self-proclaimed Throttle Jockey Kyle Tucker reveals the engineering, geometry and tire technology that together comprise the secret of the company’s success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Harold Sears is Additive Manufacturing Technical Leader at Ford’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, where he’s spearheading revolutionary developments in 3D technology “prototyping virtually everything from the road to the roof.” In this episode, Harold immerses Kevin and Willie in a futuristic automotive universe firmly based in the present, and filled with stunning possibilities for tomorrow and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bogi is not only co-host of MotorTrend’s hit series All Girls Garage; she’s a renowned ASE certified master technician and owner of Girl Gang Garage in Phoenix, Arizona. In a candid conversation with Kevin and Willie, Bogi discusses the challenges she faced coming up in a male-dominated industry; her passion for empowering women to take a more active role in car ownership and career opportunities in the automotive field; and how Two Guys Garage influenced her decision to branch out into television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Matt Hagan is ruthless on the racetrack, but as nice a guy as you’ll ever meet in person. As the two-time DSR Funny Car Champion playfully explains to Willie and Kevin, at 300 mph “it’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity!” The racer, farmer and entrepreneur also shares his recipe for success, reveals what scares him to death, and discusses running in the NHRA in the time of COVID. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s Three Guys Garage when Kevin reunites with his former co-host, renowned fabricator Bryan Fuller. Get ready for a raucous conversation about cars, bikes, the creative process, Bryan’s new gig as co-host of Car Fix, and the upcoming 20th anniversary season of Two Guys Garage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oil’s job is pretty simple: to clean, cool and lubricate. The science behind it, though, not so simple. Chris Gabrelcik is the white-lab-coat-scientist of Lubrication Specialties, the guru who knows all there is to know about metal-on-metal friction, solving problems and extending the life of everything. Grab some paper and pencils, join Willie and Kevin, and let the learning begin! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ian Johnson is his own man, instantly recognizable for the signature hairstyle, easygoing personality, and unbelievable welding chops. Kevin and Willie recently caught up with the former high school shop teacher turned TV host, as he was about to begin production on Season 2 of his hit MotorTrend series, FourWheeler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
They say love is blind, and when it comes to his 1966 Dodge Charger 383 4-speed, Willie will be the first to admit it. In this episode, Willie professes his undying love for this self-described “Ugly Duckling,” which he’s actually chopped the top off of – and that’s just for starters! As Kevin can himself appreciate, it’s the ultimate labor of automotive love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A lot of guys in the racing word know about Holbrook Racing Engines; the name is synonymous with big power. Following in the tracks of his legendary father Carl – the original Captain Cobra Jet – Chris Holbrook has perpetuated the family pedigree with a slew of awards and a reputation as being the guy you don’t want to line up against on the drag strip! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The holiday season is a time for giving back to the community, and especially to those among us who are less fortunate than others. In this episode, Willie and Kevin discuss the charitable activities nearest and dearest to them, most notably Willie’s Cars for Christmas program, now in its 14th year, dedicated to changing lives one car at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tires smoking; engines thrashing. Sliding sideways; rubbing bumpers off cones and walls. Kevin and Willie strap in for an adrenaline-fueled conversation with “Fun-Haver” Vaughn Gittin Jr. about everything from 100 mph drifting, to 12.9-mile burnouts at the Nürburgring, and conquering the King of the Hammers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fresh off his commanding NHRA Funny Car victory at the 2019 season finale in Pomona, the guys catch up with two-time NHRA Champion Jack Beckman during a well-deserved holiday break. Hooked on hot rods as a young kid in California, “Fast Jack” has more than earned his nickname, progressing from running 15.06 at 90 mph, to 3.92 at 323 mph! Noting how “good preparation leads to good performance,” Beckman speaks candidly about the trials and tribulations of racing nitro funny cars in the dark, and how having the right mindset can make the difference between life and death, as witnessed by his epic 2016 crash in Epping, NH. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The thrill, the fun, and the adrenaline rush of selling a vehicle at a collector car auction is an experience like no other. And there are few experts in the field more knowledgeable than John Kraman, Consignment Director and Lead Commentator at Mecum Auctions. In this episode, Willie and Kevin pick John’s brain on topics ranging from the pros and cons of reserve vs. no reserve bidding, to what’s hot on the auction block and what’s definitely not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Singular among automotive hobbyists, enthusiasts and collectors, the name Lingenfelter is instantly identifiable as both a one-of-a-kind Collection of unique cars and a state-of-the-art Performance Engineering company. In this episode, the guys sit down with Ken Lingenfelter for a wide-ranging conversation touching on everything from Cars and Coffees, to Cadillacs and Colorados, to Camaros and Corvettes, and the level of customer expectation that inspires Ken to be raising the bar constantly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Still energized by their recent experience at SEMA, Willie and Kevin dedicate the entirety of this episode to their freewheeling conversation with the legendary Ring Brothers – two of the most acclaimed and renowned custom car builders working in the industry today. From their humble Midwest beginnings, through intense sibling rivalries, and innumerable awards and accolades – Jim and Mike tell all in their own inimitable style. And before it’s over, a special guest will drop by and surprise all the guys! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Strap in for a lively and candid conversation with Leah Pruett, currently third in points driving the Don Schumacher Racing Mopar Top Fuel Dragster in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. With the season on hiatus, Leah chats with the guys about livin’ the dream, working hard and playing harder; the thrill of racing and the reality of living 300 days on the road; and how much it means to be a role model for young girls and boys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The story goes something like this: Young son asks his dad for a real-life version of his favorite video game supercar and dad says okay. This is where it gets interesting. The object of 12-year old Xander’s eye is a half-million-dollar Lamborghini Aventador, and as his dad, Dr. Sterling Backus, is a renowned physicist, they decide to build their own… by 3D printing one from scratch! It’s an incredible true story with an amazing twist, and it might well be the ultimate wish fulfillment fantasy come true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Christmas comes early this year in the form of the all-new TREMEC TKX, their slimmer, rounder, lighter next generation 5-speed transmission that delivers an astounding 8000 RPM. “This is the first time we’ve actually developed a transmission specifically for the aftermarket,” says TREMEC’s Mike Kidd, while Kevin and Willie pick their dropped jaws off the floor. With multiple shifter locations capable of handling those 8000 RPMs, it’s the sweet spot that weekend warriors and hot rod builders have been needing for a really long time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Despite sometimes being referred to as “death at one mile an hour,” four wheeling has become exceptionally popular with the off-road crowd. Today the guys spend some time with Cassie Hughes of Bestop, known for its soft tops, half-doors and seat covers for Jeeps and trucks. From the CJ5 and JL to the new Bronco and Hummer EV, it’s never been easier to be careful, be safe and have a righteous amount of fun! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nothing gets car guys fired up quite like the throaty growl of an exhaust system – the balance of loudness and quality, the flavors of the exhaust notes. As systems are getting more and more complicated, the guys wonder what’s coming down the pipeline, literally. “We’re in a world today where you have total system continuity,” answers the man from Magnaflow, Richard Waitas. “From the bumper to the motor to the exhaust to the interior, everything’s connected.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Improvements in suspension geometry. More modern alignment settings. Reducing body roll. Evolutionary leaps in shock technology. What is the secret of Ridetech’s success? “It all starts with the people that work there,” Product Manager Darren Schilling explains to Kevin and Willie. “A lot of these products we developed we didn’t even know that we needed them or wanted them, and all of it was born usually in building a car.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode is all about metal – shaping, smashing, cutting, making it do what you want it to do, which isn’t always easy. “I’ve definitely filled up a few scrap bins in my day,” Bruce Van Sant, Owner/President of Trick-Tools, confesses to the guys. From his auto body background growing up on a farm, to becoming a self-described tool junky, Bruce now offers all kinds of tools, even tools for tools! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For pure sub-9 second, factory direct, mega horsepower drag racing, nothing beats COPO Camaro. Just ask Rich Rinke, multi award-winning driver and owner of COPO Parts Direct. Kevin and Willie do just that as they get the inside scoop on the latest and greatest. From battles royale in the staging lanes, to the next evolution of the Central Office Production Order, one thing remains constant, says Rich: “We’re a bunch of overgrown Hot Wheels lovers!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“The future creates the present.” So Google’s top-rated futurist speaker Thomas Frey tells the guys in this fascinating podcast. From predictions of the death of the internal combustion engine and the emergence of the 1000-mile range electric car, to the impact of autonomous vehicles on real estate values and how the Covid era will fundamentally change mankind, “We’re gonna try to stretch people’s thinking a little bit here, so let’s jump right in!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie ponder the science, the mystery, the voodoo behind the harmonic balancer that holds an engine together. They invite Fluidampr’s Ivan Snyder III to school them on the three types of vibration to be aware of – unbalanced, axial and torsional – starting with Lesson #1: You know you’ve gotta have a damper, but what the hell is it? The answer: It’s crucial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie go behind the scenes with longtime SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting as he prepares to roll out SEMA 360, the organization’s new online platform created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the annual Las Vegas trade show. With over 6,000 member companies, the Specialty Equipment Market Association is much more than its namesake event. The preeminent trade association of the automotive aftermarket is on the front line of defense, actively tackling the biggest challenges facing the $45 billion industry. “It’s a whack-a-mole gig” that keeps Chris extremely busy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Rambler Ranch in Colorado is, in a word, unique. THE destination for all things AMC, Nash (and Kelvinator appliances) is home to, as Willie puts it, “one of the most amazing car collections on Earth.” Started in 1992 with 30 cars and now numbering upwards of 800, rarities include a 1955 Pinin Farina Speciale, 1948 Nash Tow Truck, AMC Marquesa prototype, and the only AMC Concord Touring Car in existence. “I have seen grown men cry,” says caretaker Ben Hamilton, “and I’m not joking.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Troy Ladd has a special love for old school hot rods, especially 30’s-era hot rods. Ever since he built his first car in high school – a ’66 Mustang – the visionary behind Hollywood Hot Rods has made his bones on new stuff that looks like old stuff and makes you feel like you’re back in 1936. From one-of-a-kind barnyard finds to the one that got away, Troy tells the guys, “I wish I had the ability to keep them all and never sell a car,” but unfortunately that’s no way to run a business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Comedian Christopher Titus is an automotive addict. “The disease bites you,” he admits to Kevin and Willie. “It’s terminal, I can’t get rid of it, and I’m glad I have it!” In a lively discussion, the trio of horsepower freaks share crash and burn stories, discuss the famous Titus-Foose “Once a Knight” ’56 Chevy, and agree that “cars are a great litmus test for any relationship you’re in”… well, that and IKEA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Engine builder Jon Kaase is all about winning. The 1977 NHRA Pro Stock Championship. 12X Mountain Motor Pro Stock Champion. 9X Engine Masters Challenge Champion. You get the picture. Jon recently sat down with Kevin and Willie to discuss his many accomplishments, most notably the revered Boss Nine automotive engine, and his many big engine battles in the marine world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s a fairly simple equation: More Air + More Fuel = More Power. A supercharger can boost that power by as much as 50-85%. Now ProCharger has changed the game with its F3X capable of generating 3500 HP @ 70,000 RPM. Sergio Shifman joins the guys to explore the company’s lineup of full kits that can add hundreds of horses to late-model vehicles in a single weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Art, sophistication, elegance, performance and total badass-ery are the hallmarks of Rad Rides by Troy. As Bonneville, SEMA and Ridler Award-winning custom builder Troy Trepanier informs Willie and Kevin, “this ain’t no 40-hour job,” and that’s no joke. With a pledge to constantly raise the bar without sacrificing quality, he lives by his mantra: “We try to let the car tell us what it wants a little bit.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the second of their two-part interview with Gale Banks, Willie and Kevin get deeper insights into the man who changed the history of the internal combustion engine. “I’m hopelessly addicted to horsepower,” exclaims the racing legend who cut his teeth on gas and is now largely known for diesel. On predicting what lies ahead, the born to run competitor anticipates “it has to have a higher energy density.” And that’s just the beginning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gale Banks is a force to be reckoned with – a legend with 11 patents and hundreds of copyrights, he has literally changed the world of hot rodding. In the first of a two-part conversation with Kevin and Willie, the self-described “full-blooded nerd” reflects on numerous milestones throughout his 50+ years in the business, concluding that “the underlying theme for my whole career is the turbo charger.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Brian Tooley of BTR Racing is like a master chef who brings together unlikely ingredients to create unique recipes for high horsepower systems. Willie and Kevin welcome “The King of Cams” back to the podcast for a professional grade discussion on boosted vs. nitrous in the HP wars, and whether nitrous and supercharging can work together. As Kevin observes, “The world is full of random facts, and this guy puts it together in some sort of map.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rick Fragnoli’s dad was an electrician who knew nothing about cars, but when he lost a union election, he chucked it all and bought a junkyard. Since then, the family Pick-a-Part has morphed into Cleveland Power and Performance, a virtual gold mine for swapping modern power trains into old school metal. On this episode, Rick sits down with the guys to talk about the journey from the bone yard to “the Panacea of Power Plants,” and in particular his game changing ’69 Charger project called Reverence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CARtoons Magazine entertained and enthralled generations of car kids and adults from its birth in 1959 through its final issue in 1991. That is until 2015, when Mark Methout unexpectedly resurrected the legendary title. In this podcast, the CEO and Publisher regales Willie and Kevin with the colorful tale of his unlikely journey from recovering the abandoned trademark and reuniting some of the original artists, to reviving the beloved publication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bogi is not only co-host of MotorTrend’s hit series All Girls Garage; she’s a renowned ASE certified master technician and owner of Girl Gang Garage in Phoenix, Arizona. In a candid conversation with Kevin and Willie, Bogi discusses the challenges she faced coming up in a male-dominated industry; her passion for empowering women to take a more active role in car ownership and career opportunities in the automotive field; and how Two Guys Garage influenced her decision to branch out into television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Evan Smith of REVan Media has a reputation as THE behind-the-scenes media mogul of the automotive world – a writer/photographer/test pilot with all the inside scoop on the OEs. And man, can this guy wheel! Kevin and Willie sit down with REVan Evan for a freewheeling discussion about all the baddest, newest and trendiest goings on, and what it’s like in the driver’s seat of the Ford GT 350 and 500, Corvette C8, Dodge 392 and ZL1 Camaro. Strap in and hang on for a fun ride! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Following in his dad’s footsteps, Mark Bowler began scraping transmissions at age 9 and rebuilding Mom and Pop trannies by 13. His dad deterred him from performance stuff until he retired in 2001, and today Bowler Performance Transmissions works with all the top companies around the world. On this episode, Mark and the guys discuss the difference between rebuilt and reman; less gears, more gears and overdrive; and the pros and cons of paddle shift automatic transmissions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Matt Hagan is ruthless on the racetrack, but as nice a guy as you’ll ever meet in person. As the two-time DSR Funny Car Champion playfully explains to Willie and Kevin, at 300 mph “it’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity!” The racer, farmer and entrepreneur also shares his recipe for success, reveals what scares him to death, and discusses running in the NHRA in the time of COVID. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Driveshafts take a relentless beating, constantly applying load with substantial torque. Repairs, upgrades and modifications are always top of mind for Lee Mejia of The Driveshaft Shop. Citing expensive custom builds that completely neglect driveshafts and axles, Lee regales Willie and Kevin with stories of destructive and real-world testing, like what happens when a heavy projectile made out of steel suddenly pole vaults or grenades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Einstein of Additives, Chris Gabrelcik of Hot Shot’s Secret, returns for another informative podcast in which he demystifies viscosity; discusses the endless learning curve involved in developing problem-specific solutions for friction; and amazes the guys with tales of the World’s Fastest 7.3, his 11 Diesel World Records, and the very real 100,000 mile oil change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
They may not be all that sexy, but when it comes to pneumatics and air tools, a compressor is the first and most critical big tool you’re likely to buy. Today the guys learn from Jarrett Affolter of Ingersoll Rand all there is to know about air compressors – the different types, what the fail points are, how to make them last forever, and what size you need to do what you want to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Jamie Meyer’s credentials are impressive to say the least: PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology; postdoctoral researcher in molecular genetics; former head of GM Performance; and now the newly minted President of the Performance Racing Industry. In a frank and wide-ranging conversation, the guys discuss everything from the LSX and COPO Camaro initiatives he led, to Dr. Meyer’s vision for PRI during COVID-19 and a post-pandemic world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For Jim Chadick, life was a choice between being a rock star or a car guy. While the former didn’t quite work out, the CEO of Performance Online has no regrets. Jim and his Operations Manager Larry Ashley join the guys to reflect on how tastes have changed from the early 90s – when how you looked in a car or truck was all that mattered – through today, where owners want classics to handle like modern cars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lots of folks love a car or truck that looks old but drives like new. Crate motors, overdrive transmissions and big brakes have blown open the resto market, and that’s been good for business at Auto Metal Direct. GM Mike Gray gives the guys a primer on how AMD’s sheet metal is better than OE, why quality matters, and the reason muscle car guys love trucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A safety fuel cell is a legit piece of racing hardware; an indispensable replacement for a fuel tank with a whole lot of advantages for hotrodders. Aero Tec Laboratories has been producing and perfecting these since 1970. Ron Ross attributes ATL’s success to constant R&D and one fundamental principle: “We can’t sit still and not move forward.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie welcome Mike Kidd and Matt Memmer of TREMEC to the podcast for a frank and wide-ranging conversation. As the premier supplier to OEs around the world for high-performance cars bordering on supercars, the guys acknowledge the slow fade of traditional manual transmissions and espouse the virtues of their new DCT performance components. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A lot of guys in the racing word know about Holbrook Racing Engines; the name is synonymous with big power. Following in the tracks of his legendary father Carl – the original Captain Cobra Jet – Chris Holbrook has perpetuated the family pedigree with a slew of awards and a reputation as being the guy you don’t want to line up against on the drag strip! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode the guys go deep with Mark Stielow, Sr. Manager at GM in Advanced Vehicle Dynamics, described by Kevin as “one of the sharpest car cats – from designing, to building, to driving the damn tires off!” Mark knows all there is to know about Camaros, having built 17 of them during his career-long tenure at General Motors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From the old pole barn in the woods to the custom multicar garage and the ultra-modern car condo, gearheads have been searching for the perfect Man Cave / Mechanic’s Dream since time immemorial. Brian McNamara of Gearhead Homes joins the guys today to answer the call as he reveal the tricks of the trade and hottest trends in auto-centric real estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It may seem like voodoo magic, but formulating effective engine additives involves intense chemistry and physics. And no one is more knowledgeable about liquid protection than “the Einstein of Additives,” Chris Gabrelcik. On this episode, the man behind Hot Shot’s Secret shares some good ones with the guys, including how the product got its name. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Firebird is considered by many to be GM’s red-headed stepchild; “a cool car with a beak,” compared to the cooler Camaro. Having recently brought a ’68 Firebird back from the dead on the TV show, Kevin and Willie take listeners inside the episode, detailing the upgraded PROFORM radiator, Mantic twin disc clutch and Fragola fuel lines they installed on this neglected classic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A superior detailing job can really deliver the WOW factor that takes your ride from merely “meh” to downright “DAMN!” On this podcast, Kevin Davis schools the guys on how Gtechniq’s harder, long-lasting ceramic coating process can make your car that car! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on the TV show, the guys did a serious upgrade on a super cool “Green Go” 2017 Dodge Challenger. On this week’s podcast, they detail how they took this V6(!) making 305 hp and 255 mph at the tires and suped it up with a RIPP Supercharger and Power Stop Z26 Street Warrior Brakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cut-and-stick-on sound deadening materials are effective, but can be a slog to install. In this episode, Kevin and Willie detail how LizardSkin’s spray-on insulation eliminates the misery so often associated with thermal management and noise reduction DIY projects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Having recently upgraded a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500, the guys wax rhapsodic about their love affair with trucks – all kinds of trucks – and some of the really cool tools they’ve been working with lately on the TV show and in their own garages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The gauge cluster is more than just a functional panel; this precision instrument can also serve as fine jewelry for your ride. Classic Instruments COO John McLeod tours Kevin and Willie through the company’s ICU – Instrument Customization Unit – and answers the question, “How can we make it smarter and smaller?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Few things are a bigger bummer than overheating. But keeping a white-hot engine running cool is no easy task. Willie and Kevin know that not all fans are created equal, and in this podcast, Fred Garza of Maradyne High Performance Fans provides some fresh insights about staying cool under extreme heat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fabrication is essentially the Architecture of How – how to manipulate materials to maximize form and function. Deryck Griffith of Vibrant Performance refers to the process as using “LEGO pieces made out of metal,” as he explains to Kevin and Willie how the company “consolidates the needs of the artist” with high tech engineering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Classic hot rods are as much about cruising as they are about digging deep and going fast. But they don’t offer much beyond three original gears. Adding a Gear Vendors overdrive system is a simple and versatile way to correct that and still maintain the value and integrity of the vehicle. In this episode, the guys get the skinny from company CEO Rick Johnson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Confused about the virtues of a dry sump oil system vs. wet sump? The mystery will be revealed when John Schwarz, President of Aviaid, joins the guys to explain what it is, how it works, and why it may be your best bet for eliminating the need to constantly watch your oil pressure gauge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s Three Guys Garage when Kevin reunites with his former co-host, renowned fabricator Bryan Fuller. Get ready for a raucous conversation about cars, bikes, the creative process, Bryan’s new gig as co-host of Car Fix, and the upcoming 20th anniversary season of Two Guys Garage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tires smoking; engines thrashing. Sliding sideways; rubbing bumpers off cones and walls. Kevin and Willie strap in for an adrenaline-fueled conversation with “Fun-Haver” Vaughn Gittin Jr. about everything from 100 mph drifting, to 12.9-mile burnouts at the Nürburgring, and conquering the King of the Hammers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rebuilding steering columns is a huge pain in the butt. Kevin and Willie have restored enough street cars, race cars and classics to appreciate the simplicity of updating old straights, tilts and column shifts with brand new quick release equipment and digital dash mounts. Today, ididit GM Trever Cornwell gives them the lowdown on how to steer clear of trouble. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
All shocks are not created equal. Engineering and manufacturing are critical to effectively tuning, running and racing them. On this episode of the podcast, Willie and Kevin get schooled by legendary suspension expert Jeff Ryan of JRi Shocks. “A shock can cure a lot of things,” he tells them, “but it can’t cure everything.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The bearing is arguably the most overlooked part of the engine. It looks very simple but it’s actually a very precisely designed and manufactured component that must be both strong and soft at the same time. Today Ron Sledge of King Engine Bearings joins the guys to break down what goes into them and discuss how to pick the right one for your application. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Metalworking can be intimidating, and the learning curve can be steep. But thanks to Darren O’Brien and the good folks at Woodward Fab, it doesn’t have to be. On this episode, the guys discuss how the company’s versatile lineup of affordable tools removes the fear factor and will have you fabricating in no time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A near-death experience incorrectly strapping a car on a trailer taught Willie a hard lesson on the rights and wrongs of vehicle transport. On this episode of the podcast, Joe Parks of industry leader Pilot Transport shares his observations and experience moving everything from a Ford Escort to a Bugatti Veyron across 49 states and Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ian Johnson is his own man, instantly recognizable for the signature hairstyle, easygoing personality, and unbelievable welding chops. Kevin and Willie recently caught up with the former high school shop teacher turned TV host, as he was about to begin production on Season 2 of his hit MotorTrend series, FourWheeler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Navigating a virtual rat’s nest of wires can drive just about any DIYer to the breaking point of gutting their electrical system and starting from scratch. Willie and Kevin know this drill all too well, and in this podcast they turn to American Autowire’s R&D Manager Don Bock for help with hassle-free wiring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Strap in for a lively and candid conversation with Leah Pruett, currently third in points driving the Don Schumacher Racing Mopar Top Fuel Dragster in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. With the season on hiatus, Leah chats with the guys about livin’ the dream, working hard and playing harder; the thrill of racing and the reality of living 300 days on the road; and how much it means to be a role model for young girls and boys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A resurgence of interest in resurrecting old cars spurred Kevin and Willie to attempt a project of their own on a recent episode of the TV show. They found a stabled ‘84 Fox Body Mustang Convertible 302 that hadn’t been run in 20 years, so between the dirt, the rust and the rot, the guys really had their hands full! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a conversation with the legendary Art Morrison and his son Craig, the guys are treated to an intimate personal history, from Art’s earliest influences working on a 1930 Model A Ford in the early 1960s… to a ’54 Chevy that he built into a race car… through a tour in Vietnam… to success on the track in 1972… and building 135 rear end dragsters starting in 1977. It’s a fascinating oral history not to be missed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the second of a two-part project for the TV show, the guys really upped the ’69 Camaro’s game, converting it from fully carbureted to fully fuel injected, and doubling the original two-speed Powerglide to a four-speed. In this podcast, they explain how they did it and why this is a true DIY project almost anyone can do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oil’s job is pretty simple: to clean, cool and lubricate. The science behind it, though, not so simple. Chris Gabrelcik is the white-lab-coat-scientist of Lubrication Specialties, the guru who knows all there is to know about metal-on-metal friction, solving problems and extending the life of everything. Grab some paper and pencils, join Willie and Kevin, and let the learning begin! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie kick off Season 19 of the Two Guys Garage TV show by reconfiguring a 1969 Camaro from a strip car to a born-again daily driver, and in this companion podcast they detail the setup change and performance upgrades that propel the Gen 1 classic from fight to fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lack of proper air conditioning can make things pretty darn hot inside a vintage hot rod, where heavy original units that sucked horsepower were often chucked to lighten the load. That is until Vintage Air came along with dramatically lighter and electronically controlled performance air conditioning systems. In this episode, EVP Rick Love updates the guys on the company’s history making modern units that look just like factory since 1976. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With their suspensions, systems and full-on builds, Detroit Speed is at the forefront of the Pro Touring movement. In this episode, President and self-proclaimed Throttle Jockey Kyle Tucker reveals the engineering, geometry and tire technology that together comprise the secret of the company’s success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sure, three and four speed transmissions are fine for some folks, but for diehard old school hot rod guys, nothing beats a five or six speed manual shift overdrive conversion. As Willie and Kevin know all too well, there are tons of considerations and complications involved in the process. Enter Bruce Couture, whose Modern DriveLine is a one-stop shop where everything you need “just about jumps out of the box and into the car!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dreaming about a flossy and glossy new paint job for your wheels at an affordable price? Kevin and Willie lead you through the do-it-right process from start to finish – from prepping for paint by Dustless Blasting existing components; to setting up your own inflatable Mobile Environmental Solutions paint booth; through selecting and applying the optimal Dupli-Color paint product to bring your dream to life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For Kevin and Willie, driving is all about the fun factor, and that means throwing gears – we’re talking huge left thigh, major heel-toe clutch action. More discs = more torque, and that means twin, triple and now even quad disc clutches. On this episode, Geoff Gerko of Mantic Clutch exposes surprising ways clutches are wrecked, and reveals best practices for preserving them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s topic is fuel delivery – what to do and what not to do to keep fuel systems completely dialed in and up to snuff, especially at high horsepower. For the answer to these and other questions, the guys turn to Steve Matusek, President and Founder of Aeromotive Fuel Systems, where they’re doing things today that no one thought were even possible only three years ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Harold Sears is Additive Manufacturing Technical Leader at Ford’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, where he’s spearheading revolutionary developments in 3D technology “prototyping virtually everything from the road to the roof.” In this episode, Harold immerses Kevin and Willie in a futuristic automotive universe firmly based in the present, and filled with stunning possibilities for tomorrow and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The thrill, the fun, and the adrenaline rush of selling a vehicle at a collector car auction is an experience like no other. And there are few experts in the field more knowledgeable than John Kraman, Consignment Director and Lead Commentator at Mecum Auctions. In this episode, Willie and Kevin pick John’s brain on topics ranging from the pros and cons of reserve vs. no reserve bidding, to what’s hot on the auction block and what’s definitely not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Advances in technology are breathing new life into old hot rods and muscle cars, in many cases allowing them to do things they were never intended to do. Consider the massive performance capabilities in bolt-on suspension packages now leading an explosion in the restomod and truck categories. In this episode, the guys discuss developments with diehard car guy Mike Ruth, Chief Application Engineer leading the charge at Heidts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
All aftermarket parts are not created equal. Sure, a set of rims can turn a plain Jane daily driver into a head turner, but when it comes to true performance, superior quality materials and engineering are where the rubber really meets the road. The same holds true for batteries, which run the gamut from practical to powerhouse. In this episode, Kevin and Willie nerd out over both in conversations with Forgeline’s David Schardt and ODYSSEY Battery’s Alan Kohler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Despite being one of the most critical elements in shaping an engine build, there’s a certain amount of mystery that surrounds the camshaft. In this episode, champion racer and renowned camshaft wizard Brian Tooley delivers a master class on the subject, dropping some serious science on the guys and revealing the three biggest mistakes most often made, even by seasoned professionals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For its sheer WOW factor, nothing quite beats the Ripsaw EV3-F4 that blew away Willie and Kevin at last year’s SEMA Show. A collaboration between Howe and Howe Technologies and PPE, this sportin’ and snortin’ toy-above-all-toys features a Duramax 6.6L 800hp engine that delivers 1350 ft/lbs of torque at 2100 RPM, all married to a tube chassis that looks and acts like a personalized tank! Mike Howe and PPE’s Joe Komaromi join the guys to detail the evolution of this remarkable project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Singular among automotive hobbyists, enthusiasts and collectors, the name Lingenfelter is instantly identifiable as both a one-of-a-kind Collection of unique cars and a state-of-the-art Performance Engineering company. In this episode, the guys sit down with Ken Lingenfelter for a wide-ranging conversation touching on everything from Cars and Coffees, to Cadillacs and Colorados, to Camaros and Corvettes, and the level of customer expectation that inspires Ken to be raising the bar constantly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The eternal quest for maximum speed has yielded many different types of power adders, with nitrous oxide chief among these. In this episode, Induction Solutions’ nitrous guru Steve Johnson puts his foot on the gas and injects the guys with a high power shot of adrenaline, blasting them off on a whirlwind tour of the latest breakthroughs and innovations in the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
They say love is blind, and when it comes to his 1966 Dodge Charger 383 4-speed, Willie will be the first to admit it. In this episode, Willie professes his undying love for this self-described “Ugly Duckling,” which he’s actually chopped the top off of – and that’s just for starters! As Kevin can himself appreciate, it’s the ultimate labor of automotive love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
FACT: In Ohio, thousands of vehicles lose as much as 10 pounds per year to an insidious, hidden enemy – corrosion. Winter weather conditions will leave an unprotected underbody at great risk of serious and costly damage. In this episode, Kevin and Willie get the inside scoop on oil-based rust proofing from Joe Dupont of NH Oil Undercoating, which has formulated a non-toxic application that protects cars and trucks not just from the elements… but from rodents, too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For many in the hot rodding world, the sport is much more than a hobby, it’s an obsession; the passion is in the blood. Case in point: Dan Millen and the gang at Livernois Motorsports and Engineering. As Willie and Kevin discover in this podcast, these guys buy and drive only what they can modify… which is just about anything and everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of the podcast, Kevin and Willie sweat the details of quality control in crankshafts, connecting rods and camshaft cores with Heath Norton of Callies Performance Products. When the conversation turns to the rebirth of the legendary Gen 2 Hemi cast iron block, the guys just about blow a gasket! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An explosion in the popularity of off-roading has created tremendous growth in the aftermarket suspension category, with an endless array of options now available to provide maximum lift for conquering whatever terrain excites you. In this episode, the guys spend some quality time at SEMA salivating over the offerings and swapping stories with Skyjacker Suspensions honcho Lonnie McCurry, Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When placed in the hands of a master craftsman, raw sheet metal can be transformed from inanimate object into mobile masterpiece. In this episode, Kevin and Willie get a firsthand account of the creative process from award-winning metalworker Ron Covell, as he reveals both the mystery and the magic of this incredible art form Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The story goes something like this: Young son asks his dad for a real-life version of his favorite video game supercar and dad says okay. This is where it gets interesting. The object of 12-year old Xander’s eye is a half-million-dollar Lamborghini Aventador, and as his dad, Dr. Sterling Backus, is a renowned physicist, they decide to build their own… by 3D printing one from scratch! It’s an incredible true story with an amazing twist, and it might well be the ultimate wish fulfillment fantasy come true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever wonder what it’s like to spend your working hours conjuring visions of cool custom cars and then seeing them actually brought to life? Designer Murray Pfaff has been doing exactly that for years, and in this episode he regales the guys with tales of dreams made real that are absolutely to die for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The name Roush is synonymous with automotive power and performance. But as a full-service engineering company for hire, Roush Industries is involved in a whole lot more – from aviation and alternative fuel development, to military applications and deep space exploration. On this episode, Crate Engine Program Manager Jim Kemp gives the guys a crash course in all things Roush, from the 2019 F-150 Nightmare, to the 2020 Mustang Stage 3 Kit, and a Gen 3 Supercharged Coyote crate engine standalone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fans of the long-running series Overhaulin’ may recall that our very own Kevin Byrd appeared in some early episodes alongside Adrienne Janic, aka “AJ”. On this episode, AJ joins Kevin and Willie for a lively discussion about automotive television past and present, ranging from her initial trial by fire as a novice working alongside Chip Foose, to some of her most memorable and outrageous experiences on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this podcast, Power Stop’s Brand Manager, Motorsports and Events Coordinator Kris Miller gives the guys the lowdown on the company’s latest developments in brake technology, and Willie recalls running a set of his so hard they caught fire… literally! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As a critical engine part, pistons have always taken a brutal beating, but never more so than they do today. In this episode, Willie and Kevin go inside JE Pistons with Mark Gearhart and Evan Perkins of parent company Race Winning Brands, for some insights into state-of-the-art technology our granddads could never have even imagined. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Willie and Kevin are race guys to their core, and in this episode they get their engines revving over the Ultimate Street Car Association’s [USCA] custom-built, run-hard racing series, the OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car. Cam Douglass and Jimi Day join the guys to talk about the road to SEMA and the grueling invitational finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Advances in suspension technology are happening faster than ever, including electronic coilovers with 8-position adjustment that can make modifications on the fly using just a mobile phone and an app. In this podcast, Kevin and Willie get the latest scoop from the man at the top of Hotchkis Sport Suspension, John Hotchkis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8-track players, cassettes, compact discs, Bluetooth audio, digital streaming – the car audio industry has seen them all, and more. And with each new format comes advances in quality and convenience previously thought impossible. In this episode, Kevin and Willie are guided through the latest innovations and breakthroughs courtesy of John Myers, Sr. Global Trainer/ Media Custom Audio Analyst at Kicker. And are they in for an earful! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From its humble beginnings as a respected maker of carburetors, Holley has morphed over several generations into an automotive aftermarket powerhouse, now with 31 different brands under its corporate umbrella. “We’re dream makers,” says Director of Marketing Bill Tichenor, as in this podcast he recounts that evolution to the guys and makes his case for the true heyday of the muscle car being right now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heat management is certainly among the most critical functions of any vehicle, be it a daily driver or high-performance race car. In this episode, the guys are all fired up to discuss the latest technological advances in the discipline with Steve Heye of Heatshield Products. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Considered by many to be music to their ears, there’s nothing quite so distinctive and stirring as the sound of a full-throated exhaust system to set pulses racing. In this episode, Willie and Kevin delve into the art, science and visceral effect of exhaust with Magnaflow’s Senior Manager/Spokesman, Richard Waitas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The holiday season is a time for giving back to the community, and especially to those among us who are less fortunate than others. In this episode, Willie and Kevin discuss the charitable activities nearest and dearest to them, most notably Willie’s Cars for Christmas program, now in its 14th year, dedicated to changing lives one car at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s no secret that Willie is mad about Mopar, and in this episode he and Kevin spend quality time with two key execs from the company. First, Joseph Dehner, Head of Ram and Mopar Design at FCA North America gives the guys the lowdown on the Lowliner Concept vehicle unveiled at the recent SEMA Show. Then, they’re blown away by FCA Engineering Supervisor Mike Rossey as he takes them deep inside the creation of the 2020 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, capable of delivering sub-8s on the quarter mile straight off the showroom floor! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sergio Shipman of ProCharger Supercharger Systems joins the guys to discuss one of their favorite topics: making massive power. Like centrifugal superchargers in the NHRA Pro Mod division. And with 3500 hp on the quarter mile a reality, can 4000 hp be just around the corner? What’s the impact of all this on upgrade kits for late model street cars? The answers to these questions and more will fire you up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kevin and Willie sit down for a frank and wide-ranging chat with Dan Sandberg, President and CEO of Brembo North America, Inc. Topics discussed include heat and high horsepower; amped up trucks and aluminum brakes; the elusive zero drag caliper and “unobtainium”; and the completely electric brake of the future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fresh off his commanding NHRA Funny Car victory at the 2019 season finale in Pomona, the guys catch up with two-time NHRA Champion Jack Beckman during a well-deserved holiday break. Hooked on hot rods as a young kid in California, “Fast Jack” has more than earned his nickname, progressing from running 15.06 at 90 mph, to 3.92 at 323 mph! Noting how “good preparation leads to good performance,” Beckman speaks candidly about the trials and tribulations of racing nitro funny cars in the dark, and how having the right mindset can make the difference between life and death, as witnessed by his epic 2016 crash in Epping, NH. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1320 feet. 250 mph. 5.99 seconds. This is Hot Rod Drag Week, where racers carry every part and consumable with them from track to track in a grueling 1000-mile torture test of man and machine. Willie and Kevin get all the down and dirty details from a trio of drag racing legends – Tom Bailey, Craig “Grubby” Groebner and Joe Barry – from competitive camaraderie, to true sportsmanship, and whether a 4-second run may soon become a reality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, Kevin and Willie ponder the evolution of engine blocks and cylinder heads, marveling at the huge technological advances that continue to be made by the company at the forefront of the industry, Dart Machinery. Ted Keating, President of Dart, joins the guys for a lively discussion touching on a range of topics, from the company’s 37 year history of hardcore racing, to the latest developments in billet engineering Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Still energized by their recent experience at SEMA, Willie and Kevin dedicate the entirety of this episode to their freewheeling conversation with the legendary Ring Brothers – two of the most acclaimed and renowned custom car builders working in the industry today. From their humble Midwest beginnings, through intense sibling rivalries, and innumerable awards and accolades – Jim and Mike tell all in their own inimitable style. And before it’s over, a special guest will drop by and surprise all the guys! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The passion for cars is still alive! Kevin and Willie are fresh from the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas – the largest automotive aftermarket trade show in the world – and giving listeners the download on all the cool and amazing cars and products they saw there. Then, they catch up with NASCAR Champion Joey Logano at the Factory Five Racing booth, and together with FFR’s David Smith geek out on the awesome machinery and horsepower on display. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In their first podcast, “soft intimidator” Kevin Byrd and “car whisperer” Willie B bring listeners inside their lifelong obsession with all things automotive – a shared passion that also lies at the heart of their longtime partnership on MotorTrend’s Two Guys Garage TV show. Next, they welcome their very first guest, Reggie Wynn of PrecisionTurbo/Turbonetics, who shares some interesting tech with the guys and drops a major announcement! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two Guys Garage is coming to your ears! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices